Rooney set to shine

MANCHESTER United, frail at the back but irresistible going forward, look set for another breathtaking soccer showdown when they entertain Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions’ League semi-final tonight.

Having witnessed Saturday’s seven-goal thriller against Spurs from the Old Trafford press box, I can safely say that the defensive stability which typified United’s early-season performances is long gone.

Full-backs Patrice Evra and Rafael De Silva are great going forward but hopeless defensively, while Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand look to be suffering from a lack of playing together n recent weeks.

Arsenal, whose cultured passing and rapier-like attacks are a joy to behold, will be well aware of United’s vulnerability, but equally mindful of the offensive riches at Sir Alex Ferguson’s disposal.

The recent displays of Spurs, Porto and Aston Villa suggest the best form of defence at Old Trafford is attack, so long as players get behind the ball at speed once possession has been surrendered.

Tonight’s game has all the makings of a classic and while the prize of a Champions League final can sometimes choke the life out of a potentially-thrilling encounter, I don’t expect that to be the case on this occasion.

United are 9-10 favourites to take a lead to the Emirates Stadium, with the draw at 5-2 and Arsenal 4-1.

I would not be surprised were Arsenal to take the lead tonight, so a little wager on star striker Emmanuel Adebayor at 9-1 is tempting.

And so, too, is the 15-8 offered about Wayne Rooney scoring a goal at any time during the game.

The heartbeat of the United side, Rooney was simply brilliant in the second half against Spurs and will be brimming with confidence for tonight’s clash.


RICKY Hatton, a staunch City supporter, will no doubt be shouting for Arsenal, but he has plenty on his own plate on Saturday when he defends his world light welterweight title against sensational Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

Hatton will have upwards of seven pounds’ weight advantage over a man leaping up the divisions, but Pacquiao, who dismantled six-times world champion Oscar De La Hoya in his last fight, is widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.

If the weights were more even, Hatton would surely stand little chance against a superb boxer and deliverer of telling blows from all sorts of angles.

De La Hoya simply could not cope against Pacquiao and there is a chance that the Hyde-based Hatton will go the same way.

But the longer Hatton can keep his opponent at bay and start to exert pressure of his own, the more chance he has of causing an upset.

Logic suggests Pacquiao will have too much class for Hatton, although whether he will have the power to knock out a heavier opponent I am not sure.

That being the case, the 3-1 about Pacquiao winning on points looks reasonable enough given his price of 1-2 to triumph at any time.

Those of you wishing to back Hatton will get 2-1 for your money.


RECOMMENDATIONS: Emmanuel Adebayor to score first goal tonight, 9-1 (Coral), Wayne Rooney to score at any time, 15-8 (Paddy Power); Manny Pacquiao to beat Ricky Hatton on points, 3-1 (Sportingbet).