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Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger
Rivals: Will Sir Alex Ferguson make it to his second Champions League final in a row or will Arsene Wenge manage to triumph?

Arsene Wenger v Sir Alex Ferguson

5 May 2009


Old rivals Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger will tomorrow clash in a highly-charged Champions League semi-final second leg between Arsenal and Manchester United. Here, we compare the two managers...

Trophies

Both men have been hugely successful at their respective clubs but Wenger has not won a major trophy since the FA Cup in 2005. In that time, Ferguson has won two Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Champions League as well as the Club World Cup.

Strengths

Ferguson's man-management is unrivalled, from motivation to discipline. His tactical nous and well-balanced squad rotation show he is as sharp as ever and his willingness to delegate coaching responsibilities, while maintaining managerial control, is key to his enduring success. Wenger's hands-on coaching and technical skills are responsible for Arsenal's revered footballing style while his keen scouting eye ensures the Arsenal playing staff is arguably the Premier League's most economical.

Weaknesses

Neither man has any glaring flaws. Ferguson's iron rule occasionally proves costly - the departures of David Beckham and Jaap Stam after spats being cases in point - while he is perhaps less shrewd than his rival in the recruitment market. Wenger is less authoritative - sometimes to a fault - and he has to accept blame for his players' regular, if increasingly infrequent, disciplinary problems.

Mind games

While Ferguson's verbal jousting with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was strictly business and the pair held one another in high regard, there has at times seemed to be genuine contempt between the Scot and his Gunners counterpart, though the relationship appeared to have thawed somewhat in the build-up to the first leg. Both can be as cutting and headstrong as the other but Ferguson has always seemed more adept at using the mind games to his team's advantage.

Statistics

Played 38
Manchester United - 15 wins (including penalty shoot-outs)
Arsenal - 15 wins (including penalty shoot-outs)
Draws - 8 (not including games decided on penalties)

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