`Negative' United slammed

Manchester United were branded "negative", "worthy of the pre-war era" and "dull and unrecognisable" by the Italian sports media after they qualified for the Champions League semi-finals at the expense of Inter Milan.

Although the bulk of negative Italian comment was aimed at Inter Milan (and in particular at the decision to play Ronaldo), United's cautious tactics prompted caustic reviews.

"Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson has nothing to crow about," commented the Milan daily Corriere Della Sera. "His side may have just qualified for the Champions League semi-finals but he has shown himself to be a modest coach, without personality and given to caution.

"Playing Johnsen . . . instead of Scholes was a move worthy of the pre-war era . . . Overall, United deserved to go through, especially for what they had done in the first leg, even if last night they did very little. However, we would find it very surprising if this side were to win the trophy, or even reach the final." Italian commentators inevitably focused on questionable refereeing decisions, arguing that Inter probably deserved a penalty when striker Ivan Zamorano was upended by Peter Schmeichel. Javier Zanetti's shot off the post and the injury to Diego Simeone were also highlighted as examples of Inter's "bad luck".

But commentators admitted that United's poor performance had probably contrived to make Inter look better than they are.

"Inter received a big helping hand from United's negative tactics and over-cautious attitude, an approach that completely robbed the side of its real nature," said another Milan daily, Gazzetta Dello Sport. "As always, an English side lost a lot of its competitive ardour in the away leg. When English sides start to make calculations, then anyone can beat them." "The hooligans who rampaged downtown Milan caused a great deal more problems than the United side, unrecognisable as it was and very dull in attack," wrote Rome's La Repubblica.

Individually, the Italian media was warmest in its praise for Schmeichel, Gary Neville and Jaap Stam. Singled out for criticism, however, were David Beckham and Ryan Giggs; the Rome sports daily Corriere Dello Sport concluded that they did "nothing like the damage of the first leg".

Roy Keane, even if held responsible for the mistake that let in Nicola Ventola for Inter's goal, was considered the best of the United midfield by the paper:

"He stood tall in midfield, dishing it out with a cudgel in his customary fashion. Where there is Keane, there is no way through."

Jaap Stam believes no one can now doubt United's Champions League credentials.

"I think with the quality we have in our side we can win it," said Stam. "The three other remaining sides are strong as well and I'm not saying we will win it, but I think we've a chance of winning it.