Topic: Big Big Derby in Manchester

dougal · November 30th, 2004

Manchester United and Arsenal will dust down their reserve teams for a low-key renewal of their usually spiteful rivalry when they meet in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Managers Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger thrive on the mind games surrounding what has developed into the biggest fixture in the English game but even those two heavyweights seem prepared to call a pre-Christmas truce.

They will assume the role of proud grand-parents watching from the touchline as the youngsters have their fun, the League Cup's lack of relevance to the top Premier League sides completing a cycle for a competition launched in 1960 and promptly ignored by the leading teams.

The first final competes with victory in the 1996 Auto Windscreens Shield as then-second division Rotherham's finest hour, even though they lost to Aston Villa over two legs.

A place in Europe for the winners raised the League Cup's profile in 1966 and a year later, when the final was switched to a one-off Wembley occasion, the competition was established as something every club took seriously.

In the late 1970s and early 80s Nottingham Forest and Liverpool were the dominant sides in the league and in Europe but both gave their all in the League Cup, winning it six years out of seven between them.

SEVENTH IDENTITY

By then the competition had blazed a trail in title sponsorship -- it is now in its seventh identity -- and the final was switched to a Sunday kickoff for live TV coverage.

Ferguson was happy to take any trophy as United reached the final three times in the early 1990s, winning one, but within a few seasons he set the tone by leaving out his big names.

The expansion of the Champions League, offering qualification for up to four English clubs each year, was a further body blow and by the League Cup's 40th anniversary fewer than half the Premier League sides were giving it their all.

With the final switched to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, United went all the way two years ago and Ferguson played all his big guns in a full-on 2-0 defeat by Liverpool.

BAD-TEMPERED

But the Scot, along with Wenger, says his intention is to stick with the youngsters this season, despite having the chance to kick the Londoners when they are down.

In the real world of the Premier League, United ended Arsenal's unbeaten run at 49 games last month in the latest bad-tempered edition of what has developed into a rivalry with little obvious mutual respect.

Since then Arsenal have lost their way badly and Wenger would not enjoy another Old Trafford defeat.

Ferguson, however, with his side gradually making ground in the league and safely through in the Champions League, is sticking with his youth policy. "I know my team apart from one player and it won't be affected by Arsenal's," he said at the weekend.

Wenger put out a side with an average age of 19 in the last round and as it was good enough to beat third-placed Everton's full-strength team 3-1. There seems little reason for him to change his approach, especially as Arsenal have injury and suspension problems and face two huge games in the league and in Europe.

United have recognised the second-rate nature of the tie by reducing ticket prices and the move has resulted in a 67,000 sell-out.

November 30th, 2004
dougal Tribuni Angusticlavii Gear	Manchester United and Arsenal will dust down their reserve teams for a low-key renewal of their usually spiteful rivalry when they meet in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday. Managers Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger thrive on the mind games surrounding what has developed into the biggest fixture in the English game but even those two heavyweights seem prepared to call a pre-Christmas truce. They will assume the role of proud grand-parents watching from the touchline as the youngsters have their fun, the League Cup's lack of relevance to the top Premier League sides completing a cycle for a competition launched in 1960 and promptly ignored by the leading teams. The first final competes with victory in the 1996 Auto Windscreens Shield as then-second division Rotherham's finest hour, even though they lost to Aston Villa over two legs. A place in Europe for the winners raised the League Cup's profile in 1966 and a year later, when the final was switched to a one-off Wembley occasion, the competition was established as something every club took seriously. In the late 1970s and early 80s Nottingham Forest and Liverpool were the dominant sides in the league and in Europe but both gave their all in the League Cup, winning it six years out of seven between them. SEVENTH IDENTITY By then the competition had blazed a trail in title sponsorship -- it is now in its seventh identity -- and the final was switched to a Sunday kickoff for live TV coverage. Ferguson was happy to take any trophy as United reached the final three times in the early 1990s, winning one, but within a few seasons he set the tone by leaving out his big names. The expansion of the Champions League, offering qualification for up to four English clubs each year, was a further body blow and by the League Cup's 40th anniversary fewer than half the Premier League sides were giving it their all. With the final switched to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, United went all the way two years ago and Ferguson played all his big guns in a full-on 2-0 defeat by Liverpool. BAD-TEMPERED But the Scot, along with Wenger, says his intention is to stick with the youngsters this season, despite having the chance to kick the Londoners when they are down. In the real world of the Premier League, United ended Arsenal's unbeaten run at 49 games last month in the latest bad-tempered edition of what has developed into a rivalry with little obvious mutual respect. Since then Arsenal have lost their way badly and Wenger would not enjoy another Old Trafford defeat. Ferguson, however, with his side gradually making ground in the league and safely through in the Champions League, is sticking with his youth policy. "I know my team apart from one player and it won't be affected by Arsenal's," he said at the weekend. Wenger put out a side with an average age of 19 in the last round and as it was good enough to beat third-placed Everton's full-strength team 3-1. There seems little reason for him to change his approach, especially as Arsenal have injury and suspension problems and face two huge games in the league and in Europe. United have recognised the second-rate nature of the tie by reducing ticket prices and the move has resulted in a 67,000 sell-out. __________________ \'I have heard him speak of the Ireland he wished to see. When he struck the spark on the anvil, he struck the anvil in my heart. When I leave school, the only pursuit I want to engage in is the winning of the freedom of my country\'.