Al Helal Vs United.......21/1/2008

For a moment I thought this was somebody's idea of a joke.
 
Man Utd stars to honour Saudi legend al-Jaber

5 hours ago

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) — Manchester United's pursuit of global domination will see a squad including Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney land in Saudi Arabia on Sunday for a visit that will see the Premiership champions play in a testimonial game for Saudi legend Sami al-Jaber.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team were due to leave for the oil-rich state immediately after their Premiership clash with Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, with Ferguson vowing to take a full-strength squad for the game against Al Hilal at Riyadh's King Fahd Stadium on Monday.

Jaber, who enjoyed a brief spell in English football with Wolves during the 2000-01 season, collected a staggering 158 caps for Saudi Arabia during his international career and the game against United is set to mark his official retirement, the player having announced his decision to quit last November.

Ferguson's decision to accept the invitation from Saudi Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz al-Saud to play against Al Hilal has raised eyebrows in England, with the fixture coming in the middle of a busy fixture period.

United are understood have to received in the region of one million pounds to play in Monday's match and Ferguson's squad are due to spend a further five days at a training camp ahead of the FA Cup fourth tie against Tottenham at Old Trafford on January 27.

Due to the tense situation in the region and the anti-Western sentiments of some groups in the Middle East, United have undertaken a comprehensive risk assessment of the trip following warnings of attacks on westerners and western interests in Saudi Arabia.

But United have been assured that they will receive 24-hour security during their stay in the Saudi capital, however, and a 68,000 sell-out crowd is expected on Monday.

Having returned to action in the reserves earlier this month after 10 months on the sidelines with calf and ankle injuries, United captain Gary Neville is expected to make his first-team comeback against Al Hilal.

And South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung, another recent returnee from a lengthy lay-off, is also likely to be handed ninety minutes by Ferguson to boost his fitness levels.

United's global popularity sees them rival Real Madrid for the title of the world's biggest football club and a recent survey commissioned by United suggested that they have an incredible 333 million supporters worldwide.

Last year's pre-season tour of the Far East, when they visited Japan, South Korea, Macau and China, was a huge success with United playing to sell-out crowds in Tokyo, Seoul and Macau.

And they will once again tour South Africa in July of this year after being treated to similar scenes of adulation in the country on their most recent visit in July 2006.

But Saudi Arabia marks new ground for United and, with future plans to visit India and west Africa, the Old Trafford club are likely to see their popularity spread with every new outpost that they conquer.


http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h8EJgF5u14aHFz6eMNEJ6Y2j64Jg
 
VDS
Brown-Vidic-Rio-Evra
Ronaldo-Carrick-Anderson-Giggs
Rooney-Tevez

1-1

I have a bad feeling about this one :nervous:
 
A bit of a jolly in the sun, keep the portugeezers away from the prostitutes and the rest from booze and we should be back in good shape to hammer Tottenham.
 
Remember Fergie whinging about an England friendly in march, a few days before the Liverpool match?

Well whats the fecking difference with this. Flying to the arse end of nowhere to play in a fecking ridiculous match. fecking hell.
 
5-0 United

1' Dong
20' Dong
40' Dong
60' Dong
69' Dong
 
JK I dont think Dong will score still I think United should handle this one with their squad players Fletcher, Nani, and Saha (3x) will score
 
First I've heard of this!

Mid season friendlies are beyond stupid, I just hope we don't pick up any injuries.
 
On current form United can win 10:0.

Ronaldo and Rooney needs a rest, they've looked very tired at the end of vs Reading game.
 
I think it's important to play full-strength team to respect the occasion and boost our image over there. With this in mind, changes should be kept to a minimum:

Kuszcak
Simpson - Pique - O'Shea - Silvestre (even if he is injured)
Eagles - O'Shea (yes, he's in there twice) - Fletcher - Park
Saha (he doesn't have to actually play though) - .... er, Dong?
 
Its erm a nice break for the lads with some nice weather instead of this fecking rain in Manchester. Every fecking day!

The spurs match is on Sunday so there is more than enough time to prepare. I doubt he will play a strong side for the whole 90 minutes anyway, bit like we did with that match last year in March.

Return of the Neville?
 
What are the chances of Rooney being red carded in this and get suspended for 3 matches?
 
The team we play is Al-Hilal you spelt it wrong...

Here's a badge
150px-Al_Hilal_Club_Logo.gif
 
Don16 said:
Remember Fergie whinging about an England friendly in march, a few days before the Liverpool match?

Well whats the fecking difference with this. Flying to the arse end of nowhere to play in a fecking ridiculous match. fecking hell.
Click to expand...

I guess you could say we will have control over our players in this one. It is surprising that we would agree to such a game at this time of the year but who knows, it might turn out to be a good thing. I'm still sceptical about it though..
 
The players get a few days in the sun, recovering from the Reading match and getting ready for Spurs, go on the pitch for a nothing match which is akin to a training session, and go home. Might do them good.

Trust Fergie. :nervous:
 
The team arrived here this morning. Just came back from their hotel, could'nt get inside though :(.

still i can't believe i'll see them play a few meters away from me.
 
Any idea on the squad we've taken over there? Just wondering if we're taking any of the reserves / academy side?
 
I reckon this could do the lads good.

1) We get mer recognition (even though we're already the biggest)
2) They get a short vacation in sun and luxury
3) They won't play for their lives, don't think they'll excess 60% of capacity.
4) A chance to come away from the English life, have som fun.
5) We get money for it
 
I think this is a brillent idea.

Its an exhibition game, no pressure just go out and enjoy kicking the ball around, be great for them after the hectic Xmas period.

It's Sunny make them feel better

There is also a five day training camp

No going going home after training just hanging around with the lads great bonding

Gives the chance of a game to some of our lads that have come back from injuries.

Can't see any of our top lot doing much to be honest 35 -45 mins max

Like someone else mentioned earlier No Booze & No women better than going to one of these really expensive de-tox clinics.

I am really looking forward to the remainder of the season after they have recharged their batteries.

Only downside is the flight.
 
The only thing I'm worried about is injuries, aside from that its a good idea.

Also if anybody is sent off does that transfer into domestic games?
 
al hilal has a great coach , whit an attacking mentality
this can turn into a great game
 
esmufc07 said:
The only thing I'm worried about is injuries, aside from that its a good idea.

Also if anybody is sent off does that transfer into domestic games?
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You don't have to worry about that.
 
This is feckin' stupid, its not like our schedule isn't going to be hectic enough coming up to the end of this month.
 
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