UCL ~ Lyon v Manchester United

Dead_Man_Inc SG

Rested stars set to return

United's squad should be bolstered by the return of four key players for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Lyon.

Sir Alex Ferguson left Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Owen Hargreaves out of Saturday's squad to face Arsenal, and restricted Paul Scholes to a 20-minute runout in the Reds' 4-0 win.

That key quartet should all be in contention to start, however, as United resume their European campaign against the French champions.

"I gave them a rest, although Ronaldo had a bit of a tummy upset," Sir Alex said after Saturday's win. "I was thinking about resting him anyway and perhaps put him on the bench, but when we found out he wasn't well, we decided to give him a complete break.

"The likes of Ryan and Paul Scholes - players with great experience - will play in Lyon on Wednesday. They'll be very important for us."

While United warmed up for Tuesday's trip to France in stunning fashion against Arsenal, Lyon slipped to a shock 1-0 defeat at Le Mans.

Manager Alain Perrin rested several players ahead of United's visit, and the result sees Les Gones' lead at the top of Ligue 1 cut down to just one point. Former Reds defender Laurent Blanc guided his second-placed Bordeaux side to a 6-0 win at Monaco.

omgukilledkenny SG

I dont remember the last time we had a comfortable away tie in France.

Many seasons ago lost 1-0 to Marseille...then 2-2 against Lyon after going 2-0 down at half time
...won 0-1 at Lille thanks to Gigg's quick thinking.

All were pretty tough games lol..

sand king SG

2-3 win for man utd.

iceFatboy SG

the last time we played lyon, we were playing badly in first half, and managed a draw if I did not rem wrongly thanks to RVN.

hopefully, we can do better this time round..

btw, was talking to friends, do you wish the italians to win against liverpool and gunners? cause if they do, MUFC has a even poorer record against them.

zocoss SG

A draw i guess... which is not a bad thing really... The last time United played in France was against Lilly or something like that lah... and only got a 1 - 0 win... And that stupid team also tried to walk out during the match...

omgukilledkenny SG

Actually, just remembered, we lost 1-0 to Lille at Stade de France in the 05/06 season...

so our recent record in France is 1 W 1D 2L

a draw would be fine yes.

wk22 SG

Lyon is quite strong now lehx...

i think ManUtd will lose lose by a single goal or maybe draw...before winning big at Old Trafford

Manutd forever!!

btw u guys noe that in EPL....Rooney Ronaldo Tevez hold the most attempts on goals?...

lol zai ah

omgukilledkenny SG

Hope even if they lose, they'll still nick a couple of away goals! :P

omgukilledkenny SG

Current European form

Olympique Lyon are unbeaten in four Champions League home matches.

Manchester United have not lost in six Champions League matches. They are one of three unbeaten teams in this season's Champions League. Chelsea and FC Barcelona are the others.

Player and disciplinary info

Anthony Reveillere, Juninho Pernambucano and Sidney Govou (all Lyon) will be suspended for the second leg if they receive a yellow card.

Sebastien Squillaci and Remy Vercoutre have played every minute of Lyon's CL campaign this season. Juninho Pernambucano, Hatem Ben Arfa, Sidney Govou, Kim Kallstrom and Reveillere have also played in all six of Lyon's CL matches this season.

If selected, Ryan Giggs will play his 100th Champions League match and will become the eighth person to reach the century. He made his CL debut in United's 4-2 win against IFK Gothenburg on 14 September 1994.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo is joint top scorer in this season's competition. He has five goals, the same as Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Nani is the only Manchester United player to have appeared in all six of his clubs CL matches this season.

sand king SG

De Javu of what happened last season against Roma?

Sienx SG

hmm..i would suggest a close 1-2 score to utd to win..as lyon has home advantage

soccerbest SG

Some training pictures before the match.

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=78826066#1

Dead_Man_Inc SG

anyone staying up and watch?

4getmenot SG

ahhh!! i got clients in town, tomorrow still have to entertain them.. dunno shud watch or not.. =X

wk22 SG

lol exam just finish

today want slp early nia

T.T

eh guys btw the other matches what are your desired results ah?

Dead_Man_Inc SG

lol exam just finish

today want slp early nia

T.T

eh guys btw the other matches what are your desired results ah?

not sure leh, i just hope man utd perform to their best!

Dead_Man_Inc SG

Match Line-up

Lyon:

Manchester United:

Dead_Man_Inc SG

-- deleted --

Dead_Man_Inc SG

Final score:

Lyon 1 : 1 Man Utd
Benzema gave Lyon the lead at the opening few minutes of second half. Tevez came to our rescue by scoring the equaliser in the last few minutes of the match.