SOCCER UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Olympique Marseille 0 Manchester Utd 0:MANCHESTER UNITED are so adept on the European stage that a goalless draw seemed of little note despite the fact that it puts these visitors well on the way to victory in this Champions League tie. Their opponents had spells, too, when they also appeared inhibited by some feeling of unworthiness. This last 16 contest is not over yet, but a punchless Marseille are at a notable disadvantage.
While this was not the strongest United line-up due to injuries to some of Alex Ferguson’s players, the handicaps all seemed to lie with Marseille initially. Didier Deschamps’s side opened as if determined only to shut down the visitors. The full-back Edouard Cisse was particularly apprehensive since he was detailed to take on the most exuberant member of the United side, Nani. Following a foul by the left-back, the winger’s free-kick broke off the wall and caused havoc as a drive by Darren Fletcher was blocked.
With Paul Scholes among the substitutes, this was a slightly unusual selection but the series of injuries affecting United recently had also revealed a greater depth to the squad than has generally been recognised. That became apparent when, for instance, Chris Smalling was unflappable at the core of the defence in the 2-1 Premier League win over Manchester City earlier this month. With Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans injured, the centre-half almost had to be included here, but he has useful experience of this tournament.
Ferguson’s decision to let him have such experience was far-sighted and Marseille did at least demand attention as they warmed to their task late in the first-half. The positive attitude from Marseille came belatedly, yet there had been cause for the club to be in good spirits. They had come second in their group, but reeled off wins in the last four fixtures that included a defeat of Chelsea, even if the outcome was academic since the final standings for the clubs in Group F were already confirmed.
The upsurge at the Velodrome is indisputable. Marseille won Ligue 1 last season to become champions of France for the first time in 18 years. They may retain the title this term since they are just three points off the lead at the moment.
Deschamps, captain of the line-up that took the Champions League in 1993, has galvanised the club as manager since his appointment two seasons ago. There were hindrances for this encounter, even if they were nothing like as severe as those faced by Ferguson. Deschamps would have been particularly regretful about the absence through injury of the attacker Andre-Pierre Gignac. Even the Marseille fans concede that their side tends to be prosaic and this was an unfortunate moment to lose a valued forward.
They were in earnest at least. That was apparent from the first few moments in which the former United full-back Gabriel Heinze made a rough tackle on Nani. Marseille had more elevated attentions than that, however, since it had to be recognised that this was a knock-out tie. Heinze therefore had a more distinguished role to fill, too, as Deschamps put an emphasis on his overlapping. The intention can only have been to unsettle John O’Shea.
O’Shea had presumably been selected by Ferguson because his know-how is deeper than that of Rafael da Silva. The first-half ought to have satisfied the manager in most respects. If Ferguson was annoyed at all it would have been with Rooney, who lapsed back into the undistinguished form that has too often swallowed him up in this campaign.
At least the striker was not alone. While Marseille seemed to be entertaining the notion of a goalless draw here that could pave the way for a remarkable outcome in the second leg, United simply lacked the sharpness to confirm that they are a line-up of greater means.
Convincing as Nani was, he continues primarily to have the mentality of a winger even if Ferguson might wish to see him broaden his range. United, however, had succeeded by then in making Marseille struggle to capitalise on home advantage.
GuardianService
OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE: Mandanda, Fanni, M'bia Etoundi, Diawara, Heinze, Cisse (Cheyrou 70), Kabore, Remy (Valbuena 79), Gonzalez, Andre Ayew, Brandao. Subs not used: Andrade, Taiwo, Hilton, Jordan Ayew, Abriel.
MANCHESTER UTD:Van der Sar, O'Shea, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Gibson (Scholes 72), Carrick, Fletcher, Nani, Berbatov, Rooney. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Brown, Hernandez, Fabio Da Silva, Rafael Da Silva, Obertan.
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany).
