It is tempting to support Man Utd tomorrow night in order to bring some balance to the board - but I can't bring myself to support them nevertheless - you are a braver man than I, Pele; but I fear that you may also be a more reckless one. For have you really considered what supporting Man Utd, even for one night, means and entails? As your avatar symbolises, you'll be very much getting into bed with the devil(s). It is a dangerous territory to enter, and I hope, once there, that you will be 'stepping lightly, just like a ballerina' (Van Morrison) rather than rushing in 'where angels fear to tread' (Alexander Pope).
There are a number of players from both sides who I like and enjoy watching. At Man Utd: I like Berbatov, Tevez, Carrick, Park, Anderson, and though I used not to like them so much, and whilst they still have their flaws, I like watching Ferdinand and Rooney too - they're both excellent players, and though they can be a bit temperamental at times, they often seem to be really enjoying themselves on the football pitch, which is nice to see, especially when some other players (Ronaldo and Gerrard to pick two prominent examples) move about with such grim and irritated faces. At Inter: I like Cambiasso, Adriano, Maicon, Samuel, Chivu, Figo, and pushing the balance towards Inter somewhat, Ibrahimovic and Zanetti are two of my favourite players.
Mourinho is arrogant, and I'd rather he didn't single out and criticise individuals on opposing teams so much; but for me this behaviour is tempered by his exaggerated manner, by his elaborate tone and phrasing when he speaks - I feel there is a greater sense of play to Mourinho's mind-games and insults than there is to Ferguson's. And he does back up his arrogance with results on the pitch; whilst off it, I think he shows a great deal of dedication and intelligence that is in itself becoming to the game (for instance, I find it hugely impressive that he learnt Italian over the course of a few months so that he was able to deliver his first press conference for Inter in the language).
In addition, though I do think Inter's squad is lacking in areas, I think they've been very unfortunate in the Champions League over the past two seasons. They went out on away goals to Valencia in 2007, and created the bulk of the chances in the second leg of that tie but failed to convert them; whilst last season, at the same stage, they were done for by the referee very early on in their first leg against Liverpool. I'd like to see them earn a longer run in the competition this time round, and it would also be nice to have one Italian team in the competition's quarter finals.
I'm sure the Man Utd side will be a strong one, with you, Kimbo, Deano and Zack adding to Parky, DS, Lrd and Batman.
Still, there is time before the game; and doesn't this bed look the comfier to you?
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wrote:I'm dissapointed Pele. We might never speak again 
