Can Arjen Robben Halt Manchester United's Champions League Progress?

Honestly, if there is anyone who knows what it is to get past Manchester United in the Bayern Munich FC squad, it has to be Arjen Robben. The in-form Dutchman has had his share of superb performances and miseries during his stay at Chelsea, being plagued by numerous injuries, especially in his last season at the club. However, it is undeniable that when fit Robben was a key player for the Blues and very instrumental in Chelsea's successive unprecedented triumphs in the Premier League, scoring fifteen goals for the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Though a very influential player on the pitch, Robben claims he was a victim of "forced sale" by Real Madrid,(whom he joined from Chelsea) a club which he didn't want to leave.

All that is however a part of history and Robben could very well thank his Stars, for parting with the Galacticos, as he could have had to take the bench there, which is not a reality now that he plays for another European Giant in Bayern Munich. It does not take much of a doing glancing at Robben's record for a club he has just played just about two score matches yet,scoring a goal every second match. Robben has been a sensation of sorts for the Bavarians, scoring a brace coming on as a substitute in the second half on his debut against the defending champions Wolfsburg to give Bayern Munich FC their first win of the season. Bayern Munich FC are now back in contention for winning the Bundesliga, thanks to some solid performances by the dutchman in sync with the other stars at the club. 

The Dutchman who is very much a livewire on the pitch also played the most critical role in securing Bayern Munich FC's Champions League Quarter final status. Although Bayern lost the last leg to Fiorentina in the Group of 16, Robben fired in a scorcher to leap-frog Fiorentina in terms of the away goals rule. 

Bayern Munich FC fans could have a reason to feel disappointed by their draw for the Champions League, which makes them face arguably the most successful English Premier League club in the race for best Club of Europe in recent times.At this point let us throw some light on their rivals and their recent achievements.

Manchester United have been in an amazing run of form lately and still look bright and favorable contenders for the domestic league championship for a staggering nineteenth time, which could add another feather to their cap as they can then claim a rare honor of being the biggest football club in England. Their performances apart from the Premier League have also been magnificient. Although they did face some scares in their group stages of the Champions League qualification at the hands of CSKA Moscow and Besiktas FC, their progress was never in doubt. In the round of 16,  Manchester United literally murdered AC Milan in what could be considered the most one-sided fixtures of that stage beating Milan by a huge 7-2 margin, which included a 4-0 victory at Old Trafford.

All said and done, Manchester United may feel relieved at their Champions league draw against a Bayern Munich FC side which many consider as far below the one which whipped the Red Devils at the same stage in 2001, there could still be some twist in the tail. Manchester United have not been the same team depth-wise after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez (who I belive was terribly under-rated by Sir Alex Ferguson). Although Manchester United have manged to pull of some incredible performances this season, the fact remains they are dependent  just too much on their star striker Wayne Rooney, who however is the current leading goal scorer in the English Premier League this season. On deeper introspection however, it is clear that Manchester United have also had a great run of fate, with 10 goals scored for them by their opponents in terms of own goals. This in itself could be a record they cannot deny as their second highest goal scorer Berbatov has also scored 10. This in the Premier League only , against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League their home leg 3-3 draw was also a result of an own goal. Thus far, the Red Devils have had the rub of fate going their way.

Bayern Munich have also depended quite a lot on Robben to deliver the last grasp strikes and some all round fabulous displays to shine as brightly this season.

Now quickly comparing the squads:

We have thus found that both the squads are facing a similar position of sorts in their respective leagues and it would be wrong to outrightly dismiss Bayern Munich FC as inferior owing to their recent disastrous displays in Champions League  of late, wherein they badly missed the services of a top class in-form winger as Arjen Robben. Its very true that facts like a proven Top quality coach , a classy defence and not to forget fiery Rooney upfront give Manchester United an upper hand before the show down,
but even Van Gaal has not really been a very bad coach for the German outfit, though certainly not as experienced with a singular squad like Ferguson, van Gaal has coached Ajax, Barcelona all of which were top class clubs in their own right. United's defence seem a bit a stronger in terms of the physical aspects though spirited efforts from clubs like Burnley, Fulham, Everton in the Premier League and Besiktas and CSKA Moscow in the Champions league have been able to drill holes through that, so should the in-form Robben come up with something like what Milos Krasic managed at Old Trafford, we should be in for some contest. Now coming to the main part, the strike force. Manchester United have depended on Rooney all season like never before, but recent reports say that Rooney has missed out on a lot of practice sessions of late. He also did not start in the Carling Cup final against Aston Villa to protect the nagging injury.  Moreover, Manchester United face a stiffer competition for the Premier League which means a lot to them especially this time for reasons foresaid and thus it would be fair to assume that Rooney won't be rested even if he is not a 100%. All this could aggravate his injury and hurt his performance level all the more.

It would be fair to assume that without a fearsome Rooney, Manchester United look a much tamer opposition,having not played much without him. Surely with the likes of Berbatov too not being a 100 % and Owen out of the season, United's attacking force look fragile in front of arguably the best defence among all German clubs presently. In comparison Robben has endured a more or less injury free season and has been striking gold far too often. Some of his goals have been scorchers from outside the attacking third.

Keeping all these factors in mind, it would be really foolish for Manchester United to really consider Bayern Munich FC a weakened opposition. With goals being a priority in this two leg format of the Champions League, Robben's late in-form displays should really be a cause of concern for Sir Alex Ferguson and his side. Although Manchester United are still, favorites with a fit eleven on the pitch, Arjen Robben could just be the pick of the lot having played in England for quite sometime and with his long range shooting abilities (which has matured of late) and electric pace down the wings giving the Red devils a taste of something that they really haven't come up against too much this time. All in all though Bayern are not as dependent on Robben as Manchester are on Rooney, it still seems much likely that this battle is going to be decided by which of the two plays their opposition defences better. It may just end up being a battle of who scores most in the "Rooney vs Robben" tie, and I repeat writing off Robben may just prove to be a costly mistake..