Sir Alex Ferguson has made one final plea to Manchester City supporters to show respect for the Munich victims in Sunday’s potentially volatile Manchester derby.
Ferguson appeals for dignified remembrance of Munich crash victims from City fans
MANCHESTER: Sir Alex Ferguson has made one final plea to Manchester City supporters to show respect for the Munich victims in Sunday’s potentially volatile Manchester derby meeting at Old Trafford.
Months of deliberation and discussions have taken place between the rival clubs about how to mark the 50th anniversary of the disaster.
United officials have decided to hold a minute’s silence before kick-off in memory of the dead, amid fears that a minority of City’s 3,000 fans in attendance could ruin the gesture.
“I don’t think there will be any problem with our fans,” said the United manager. “I am just hoping City fans listen to their own club and make it a game for us all to remember. That’s very, very important.
“There has been a lot of speculation about Man City fans and how they are going to behave. I think the club themselves have done their very best to ensure it is a peaceful day and we can enjoy a good game of football without any disruptions to it.”
Knockout punch
Avram Grant believes Chelsea can deliver the final blow to Liverpool’s spluttering Premier League title challenge in Sunday’s clash at Stamford Bridge. Grant is usually keen to avoid the kind of pre-match fireworks so beloved of his predecessor Jose Mourinho, but the Israeli emerged from his shell for once to write off Liverpool’s hopes of ending their 18-year wait for league success.
The Reds are 17 points behind leaders Arsenal after a dismal run of one win in six matches and a loss to Grant’s third placed side would kill them off once and for all.
“It is too far for them, it is too many points. I cannot say they are out of the title race because in football anything can happen, but it will be very hard for them,” Grant said.
Rafa Benitez’s men will travel to London more in hope than expectation. They have yet to score a goal at Chelsea in seven attempts since the Spanish coach took over in 2004. With Fernando Torres sidelined after suffering an injury playing for Spain in midweek, Liverpool will be missing their striking talisman.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}