Article by Mark Graham, Stats Nerd

Match Review
Glasgow Celtic 1 v 0 Manchester United, Celtic Park, 19.45 Tuesday 20th November 2006.
Goals: Glasgow Celtic - Nakamura (81). Manchester United - none.
Attendance: 60,632.

SAF's team selection at Copenhagen has returned to bite him, as United suffered a successive 1-0 defeat, this time to the Scottish Champions. United must now avoid defeat in the final group match against last year's slayers, Benfica. Once again it is well short of expectations.

With a virtually full strength squad to choose from, SAF opted to rest Evra and play Heinze at left-back in a tactical move. The manager had named an unchanged team and formation in the Premiership for four matches in a row, during which United has looked excellent. Last night, however, SAF opted to deploy Rooney on the left whilst left-winger Giggs was shunted into the middle. It was a move that stunted Rooney and reduced United's creative options to Ronaldo, who shone for most of the night.

United had long periods of possession with Celtic offering little in the way of width. But it was a quiet game for at least a half hour in a period that saw either 'keeper work about as hard as your average scouser, until Rooney fizzed an effort wide.

Shortly afterwards Ronaldo was gifted a goalscoring opportunity as returning defender Bobo Balde dallied on the ball, allowing United's start through on goal. Balde recovered just enough to affect Ronaldo's effort and Boruc saved.

Shortly before the break Celtic threatened United's goal for the first time, with Thomas Gravesen's header from Zurawski's cross landing wide.

The second half mirrored the first, with few chances created. Ferdinand blazed over for United from six yards out and Celtic wasted efforts from Gravesen and Nakamura.

The final 10 minutes was to be the most action-packed. Nakamura, the dangerman named by RANT, scored with a delicious free kick from 30 yards that lopped over the wall and beat EVDS at full stretch.

For all of Celtic's famed atmosphere it was only now that the 55khome supporters burst into life. You only sing when you're winning!

Saha then wasted two golden opportunities for the equaliser. First, the striker made the amateur error of stopping when through on goal. He may have thought that he was offside but he didn't platy to the refs whistle, leaving Boruc with an easy save.

Saha would be given a opportunity to make amends as a Ronaldo free kick was handled by Maloney. Saha's body language said he wasn't going to score and true to form the resulting spot kick was easily saved by Boruc.

The clock ran out on United and a dark shadow has been cast over Old Trafford for the clash with Benfica. It's Dynamo Kiev all over again, with a real chance United may not qualify for the second season in a row.

Credits: Niffy, Abbott, Toddy, Mike "your indicators are still on" Hetherington and some excellent driving from yours truly. Home in two hours!

Player Ratings
van der Sar (6); Neville (7), Ferdinand (6), Vidic (6), Heinze (5); Ronaldo (8), Carrick (6), Scholes (7), Giggs (6), Rooney (6), Saha (4).
Subs Used: Evra (5) for Evra (87 mins), O'Shea (5) for Carrick (87 mins).
Subs not used: Kusczak, Brown, Fletcher, Silvestre, Richardson.

United's Man of the Match
Ronaldo was United's most attacking threat. He ran and dribbled all night but with Rooney stuck out on the left there was nobody on the end of his crosses.

Rants Reaction
Full strength squad and loads of possession but defeat from a humdinger of a free kick. RANT can take defeat on the chin but the fans and team were cheated by Wayne Rooney being used on the left. For FUCK SAKE ARGGGHHHH!!! What is Rooney doing there? He's crap on the left, and it makes even less sense when a left-winger is deployed up-front!

Was Rant's Prediction Right?
No as we said 2-0. United Rant 3 v 17 Wrong Predictions.

Milestones
Gary Neville is now 7th in the All Time Appearances List with 511.

Miscellaneous Info
United's next match is on Sunday 26th November 2006 against Chelsea in the Premiership at Old Trafford with a 16.00 kick off.