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United competing on seven fronts in 2008/2009

7 more, please!
By Chris,
May 29 2008
Manchester United’s European Cup triumph means the club face a dramatic extension to their fixture list. The Red Devils will not only take on Zenit St.Petersburg for the Uefa Super Cup – but will also be in Japan in December to compete for the FIFA World Club Cup competition. Forget the Treble of 1999 – Sir Alex Ferguson will be competing for an astonishing seven pieces of silverware next season.


St.Petersburg won the Uefa Cup in Manchester - scoring two second-half goals to break down Rangers' unadventurous defensive line.

The Russian giants were on superb form throughout the tournament - smashing the likes of Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen on their way to the final at Eastlands Council House.

Fergie will now go head-to-head with Dick Advocaat's men for the Uefa Super Cup. The one-off match - between the winners' of the Champions League and Uefa Cup - is often regarded as a minor event.

However, trophies are there to be won and victories in the Charity Shield against Portsmouth and the Super Cup against the Zenit would be a super way to start the new season. Both matches take place in August; so Sir Alex will soon have the chance to take his astonishing tally of winners' medals to thirty-one with United.

United will also compete in the FIFA World Club Cup in Japan between the 12th and 21st of December. FIFA have, for some time, been looking to establish a competition to replace the Intercontinental Cup and determine the true 'world champions' of football.

Most Reds will have sour memories of the World Club Championship from 2000. United, under pressure from the Labour Government, declined entry into the F.A Cup to play- but failed to qualify for even the third-place play-off after drawing with Mexican side Necaxa and losing to Vasco de Gama. Victory over South Melbourne proved mere consolation and the whole jaunt to Brazil proved to be a farcical few days for United.

However, FIFA appear to have now sorted things out. The Intercontinental Cup was discontinued in 2004 - and the World Club Cup re-emerged in 2005 and has been played annually ever since.

United will play two games - receiving a bye, along with the South American champions, to the semi-finals. They will then either qualify for the final or play a third-place play-off. The winner of all six continental confederations take part - plus the winners of the 2008 J-League as Japan are the host nation.

With seven pieces of silverware on offer - the 2008/2009 campaign could be the most successful and memorable in the club's long and illustrious history.

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