Barcelona vs. Manchester United
- Thread starter VidaRed
- Start date
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
Line-Up:
vds
fabio
rio
vidic
evra
carrick
park
giggs
valencia
rooney
hernandez
bench:
kuzza, scholes, nani, smalling, oshea, berbs, ando
vds
fabio
rio
vidic
evra
carrick
park
giggs
valencia
rooney
hernandez
bench:
kuzza, scholes, nani, smalling, oshea, berbs, ando
Prediction:
1-1 (5-4 pk) United win.
1-1 (5-4 pk) United win.
So excited for this.
I had my United mascot over last Sunday for Blackpool and we done good so she's agreed to do the same on Saturday. Fingers crossed.
I had my United mascot over last Sunday for Blackpool and we done good so she's agreed to do the same on Saturday. Fingers crossed.
I remember him. Gives the impression he's the sort of ref who'll fall hook line and sinker for all Barca's face clutching tricks.I heard they will announce on Wednesday.
Errrm scratch that, it is Nicola Rizzoli
My source is legit I think
He is the dude who sent off Rafael in the Bayern match. We have to be careful with him
Poor choice by UEFA...hmm, maybe Mourinho was right after all.
UCL Final 2005: Liverpool V AC Milan - Liverpool won
UCL Final 2007: AC Milan V Liverpool - AC Milan won
UCL Final 2009: Barcelona V Man United - Barcelona won
UCL Final 2011: Barcelona V Man United - ???
UCL Final 2007: AC Milan V Liverpool - AC Milan won
UCL Final 2009: Barcelona V Man United - Barcelona won
UCL Final 2011: Barcelona V Man United - ???
By the way VidaRed, brilliant OP!
You did a good job too AAO with all the badges but you were a match too soon.
You did a good job too AAO with all the badges but you were a match too soon.
This, only with Fabio instead of Rafael.
Matchday thread of the year. I'm all wound up
3 fecking days, woke up 3 times dreaming about the CL final, surely not healthy for a 30 year old.
Both very strong line ups. I'd be fine with either of them
We had him at some point during the knockouts did we not?I heard they will announce on Wednesday.
Errrm scratch that, it is Nicola Rizzoli
My source is legit I think
He is the dude who sent off Rafael in the Bayern match. We have to be careful with him
No, you might be thinking about the Arsenal -Barca first leg. He showed 6 yellow cards, 4 to Arsenal. To be fair, I must add that the fourth was to Arshavin for taking off his shirt after scoring late.
Also this will be his third Barca game of the season. Don't know if that is any relevant.
Yeap. Save me the trouble from watching them. I knew we were never good enough!I see the pattern there... The home team wins.
Game over then
I was just gonna post that in the build up thread.
But yeah, excellent. The more of this sort of stuff I read before the final the better. I like going in as the under dog.
--------------VDS--------------
Da Silva----Rio---Vidic------Evra
Valencia--Carrick--Giggs-----Park
-------------Rooney------------
------------Chicharito-----------
Subs: PIG, O'Shea, Smalling, Anderson, Nani, Berbatov, Owen.
Sadly no place for Scholes, as I believe we could do with two strikers on the bench in case. If you're going to include Scholes in the squad, who do you leave out - Anderson? Nani? Owen?
It's very hard in cases like this as you're always going to disappoint players who have worked hard all season. I said I think we missed Fletch in the 2009 final, but this time around with his illness and all, I don't think he should start if he still isn't 100% fit, and I doubt whether he'd even make the bench TBH.
Da Silva----Rio---Vidic------Evra
Valencia--Carrick--Giggs-----Park
-------------Rooney------------
------------Chicharito-----------
Subs: PIG, O'Shea, Smalling, Anderson, Nani, Berbatov, Owen.
Sadly no place for Scholes, as I believe we could do with two strikers on the bench in case. If you're going to include Scholes in the squad, who do you leave out - Anderson? Nani? Owen?
It's very hard in cases like this as you're always going to disappoint players who have worked hard all season. I said I think we missed Fletch in the 2009 final, but this time around with his illness and all, I don't think he should start if he still isn't 100% fit, and I doubt whether he'd even make the bench TBH.
This is the one........
Got to say i'm loving it as well.
I think it's such a shame Fletcher is going to miss a 2nd consecutive Champions League final. He's clearly nowhere near fit enough to participate. He probably won't even make the bench.
IMO there are 9 definite starters which are; VDS, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Giggs, Valencia, Park and Rooney.
That leaves right back up for grabs between Rafael, Fabio, O'Shea and then the decision of whether to play Hernandez or an extra body in midfield.
Does the fact Scholes only got 30mins last night mean anything? I really don't know.
Personally I would go with the side that beat Chelsea as that can be either 442/4231 or even a 451.
IMO there are 9 definite starters which are; VDS, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Giggs, Valencia, Park and Rooney.
That leaves right back up for grabs between Rafael, Fabio, O'Shea and then the decision of whether to play Hernandez or an extra body in midfield.
Does the fact Scholes only got 30mins last night mean anything? I really don't know.
Personally I would go with the side that beat Chelsea as that can be either 442/4231 or even a 451.
For me, it's not a question even. Sir Alex will pick Hernandez, nearly certain. 10 guarenteed and then there's the call of who will play right back.
I hope you're right but Scholes only getting 30mins last night has made me think again.
It's time to finally give him a chance at his natural right-back position, we've stunted his development horribly.
I think it's more to do with the fact he didn't want Scholes to play 90 minutes and then have to back up at Wembley, possibly having to play another 60 minutes (if it goes the stretch), and as we know Scholes is used sparingly. Sir Alex has always been one to cover all variables, and that's about the brunt of it, in my opinion.
Nothing in it.
Rest easy.
Wembley Stadium, London
Saturday 28th May 2011
KO - 19:45 BST
Route to the Final
Barcelona
Group Stages
Barcelona 5 - 1 Panathinaikos
Rubin 1 - 1 Barcelona
Barcelona 2 - 0 København
København 1 - 1 Barcelona
Panathinaikos 0 - 3 Barcelona
Barcelona 2 - 0 Rubin
Round of 16
Arsenal 2 - 1 Barcelona
Barcelona 3 - 1 Arsenal
Barcelona wins 4-3 on aggregate
Quarter Finals
Barcelona 5 - 1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Shakhtar Donetsk 0 - 1 Barcelona
Barcelona wins 6-1 on aggregate
Semi Finals
Real Madrid 0 - 2 Barcelona
Barcelona 1 - 1 Real Madrid
Barcelona wins 3-1 on aggregate
Manchester United
Group Stages
Manchester United 0 - 0 Rangers
Valencia 0 - 1 Manchester United
Manchester United 1 - 0 Bursaspor
Bursaspor 0 - 3 Manchester United
Rangers 0 - 1 Manchester United
Manchester United 1 - 1 Valencia
Round of 16
Marseille 0 - 0 Manchester United
Manchester United 2 - 1 Marseille
Manchester wins 2-1 on aggregate
Quarter Finals
Chelsea 0 - 1 Manchester United
Manchester United 2 - 1 Chelsea
Manchester wins 3-1 on aggregate
Semi Finals
Schalke 0 - 2 Manchester United
Manchester United 4 - 1 Schalke
Manchester wins 6-2 on aggregate
Hooray - VidaRed is back. Now we can get on with this thread
I like the way Mourinho planned for his 1st leg CL semi in terms of breaking the game up into phases. Obviously he lost but that was due to the unfair sending off. Its well known that against good teams, Barcelona are at thier least effective in the last 20 mins (as Mourinho called it, the 3rd phase of the game). As long as we are still in touching distance by then, then we can win.
Perhaps for that reason, Hernandez will not start and be kept for that phase of the game as by then with Barcelona's midfield and defence will be tiring and his lightening fast paced runs will create loads of space for our midfield playmakers to exploit. Perfect time to introduce Scholes too.
But the again, Id like Hernandez to start as he gives us an outlet and some respite from the expected domination is possession Barcelona are likely to get.
I have a feeling it will be a goal fest. 3-1 or 3-2 either way. Obvious loyalties aside, I think its too close to call. All this bull about us going into the game as underdogs is crap ..... we just won our domestic league by 9 points, this is our 3rd final in 4 years and we have the worlds greatest and most experienced CL manager alive today at our helm - we go in to this game on merit as equals.
I'll go for 3-2 to us, with Berbatov writing his name into United folklore with an 85+ min winner.
VDS
JOS Vidic, Ferdinand Evra
Giggs Carrick Park
Valencia Rooney
Hernandez
same side will alternate into 4411 when we attack.
Tactics will dominate a cagey first half which Barcelona will win and lead 2-1 - we will see little of the ball. It will turn into a free flowing heavyweight punch out for the last 30 mins when we will just have to go for it.
Thats when our superior fitness, famed counter attacking skills and never say die attitude will take over - Rooney with the equaliser on 80 mins and Berbatov coming on like Ole and scoring the winner with just a few minutes to go. And then it all goes bonkers.
Perhaps for that reason, Hernandez will not start and be kept for that phase of the game as by then with Barcelona's midfield and defence will be tiring and his lightening fast paced runs will create loads of space for our midfield playmakers to exploit. Perfect time to introduce Scholes too.
But the again, Id like Hernandez to start as he gives us an outlet and some respite from the expected domination is possession Barcelona are likely to get.
I have a feeling it will be a goal fest. 3-1 or 3-2 either way. Obvious loyalties aside, I think its too close to call. All this bull about us going into the game as underdogs is crap ..... we just won our domestic league by 9 points, this is our 3rd final in 4 years and we have the worlds greatest and most experienced CL manager alive today at our helm - we go in to this game on merit as equals.
I'll go for 3-2 to us, with Berbatov writing his name into United folklore with an 85+ min winner.
VDS
JOS Vidic, Ferdinand Evra
Giggs Carrick Park
Valencia Rooney
Hernandez
same side will alternate into 4411 when we attack.
Tactics will dominate a cagey first half which Barcelona will win and lead 2-1 - we will see little of the ball. It will turn into a free flowing heavyweight punch out for the last 30 mins when we will just have to go for it.
Thats when our superior fitness, famed counter attacking skills and never say die attitude will take over - Rooney with the equaliser on 80 mins and Berbatov coming on like Ole and scoring the winner with just a few minutes to go. And then it all goes bonkers.
This is the one.
Van der Sar
Fabio - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra
Carrick - Giggs
Valencia - Rooney - Park
ChicharitoPark to tuck in, when Barca are in possession and make it a three-man midfield with Rooney dropping to the left.
This is the team that got us where we are now and that will be the team that will lead us to glory.
Van der Sar
Fabio - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra
Carrick - Giggs
Valencia - Rooney - Park
Chicharito
This is the team that got us where we are now and that will be the team that will lead us to glory.
The problem with that is Rooney would end up tracking Alves into our left back area.
Keep Rooney central and have Park do the tracking back.
Yeah, I'd agree with that. Although I also have a feeling that we might stick Valencia on the left wing at some point for the first time. Since Alves will bomb forward, Valencia can tear them up (though he'll have to keep cutting inside). Obviously, he'll be on Puyol or Abidal for most of the game to test them at left back.
van der Sar
Fábio Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Giggs
Valencia Rooney Park
Hernandez
--
Kuszczak; O'Shea; Fletcher, Anderson, Scholes, Nani; Berbatov
Fábio Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Giggs
Valencia Rooney Park
Hernandez
--
Kuszczak; O'Shea; Fletcher, Anderson, Scholes, Nani; Berbatov
Bench is difficult. Rafael, Smalling, and Owen all have good shouts at getting on there as well. I think it'd be worth going with the idea that we wouldn't have to sub off any of our defenders, so just stick O'Shea on the bench in case we do as he can play anywhere. I can see Fletcher or Anderson starting, but it's honestly going to be in place of Hernandez if they do.
2-2. United win on penalties when it starts raining :P
My team too.
I agree.
I'm sure it'll be Rooney dropping back and attaching himself to Sergio Busquets as best he can. Rooney has done it to great effect in the second half of the season so I'm not sure changing it now would be a good idea.
By doing that it always likely means Rooney will be in a position to influence the game when we do get the ball back. Having him out on the left will only isolate Rooney and he's likely to not have an influence on the game.
If we are to win I think Rooney has to put in a superb performance, something he's not done in the two finals he's played in.
Third time lucky...?
team & tictacs
Champions League final 2011: Manchester United determined to avoid mistakes of two years ago
Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola both have some tricky selection decisions to make for the final.
By Alan Smith 6:20AM BST 25 May 2011
There is a real determination in the United camp that they are not going to make the same mistake again, that they won’t pick players with too little match practice to face Barcelona in Saturday’s Champions League final. Sir Alex Ferguson and his coaches haven’t forgotten the error that contributed to their downfall in the final two years ago. Anderson, for example, hadn’t seen much action leading up to that Rome final, while Rio Ferdinand hadn’t kicked a ball since the semi-final second leg at Arsenal a full three weeks before.
As a result, neither was in the best physical condition for such a huge occasion and Pep Guardiola’s brilliant side took full advantage. The Catalans, of course, could easily prevail again should Lionel Messi and friends hit top form at Wembley. No side in the world are going to stop this lot if they click into gear the way that they can. Nevertheless, their job will be made a lot harder if United trust in players fully up to speed, players who got them to this stage as well as over the line in the Premier League.
Easy decisions for Ferguson then? Well, not really. It’s never straightforward for any manager when it comes to picking a side and a system to face Barcelona. Jose Mourinho proved that conclusively enough when he tried to be too clever in this year’s semi-final, Real Madrid adopting incredibly negative tactics at the Bernabéu. A fine balance is needed, then, between attack and defence, between nullifying Barca and presenting a threat yourself. This is where Ferguson must get it right as he weighs up one or two options.
His make-up in midfield:
Due to the reasons above, it doesn’t bode well for Darren Fletcher, who sadly missed out in Rome through suspension. Fletcher might have played the full 90 minutes against Blackpool on Sunday but that was his first start since being sidelined for two months with a nasty virus. So, as much as Ferguson admires his fellow Scot, a lad he has habitually banked on for the big games, this dogged midfielder surely can’t be ready for a match of this intensity. Mind you, will Ryan Giggs be OK to partner Michael Carrick? This combination has worked brilliantly in Europe but, for obvious reasons, Ferguson must decide whether Giggs is in a fit mental state. If not, Anderson’s energy could get the vote.
Who to play at right-back?
Fabio has been awarded the gig for all the big games lately, having seemingly moved ahead of his twin brother, Rafael. In addition, there is John O’Shea to consider for a position that becomes vital against the Blaugrana. With Pedro, David Villa and Messi taking it in turns to attack down that flank, United’s right-back must keep talking throughout to stay in touch with his fellow defenders. And it would help if he’s quick and sharp on the turn to keep track of the movement that makes many dizzy.
Barcelona
If Ferguson has decisions to make, so does Guardiola, although maybe to a lesser extent. We can all take a stab at Barca’s front six. For most of this season, the midfield and attack have picked themselves. It isn’t quite so straightforward at the back, though, where Carles Puyol’s absence through injury and Eric Abidal’s health problems have recently forced Guardiola to readjust.
Who partners Gerard Pique?
If he wants to, Guardiola could reinstate Puyol alongside Pique rather than asking Barca’s beast of a captain to fill in at left-back, as he did in both legs of the semi-final. Abidal, after all, could return to that slot, having mercifully returned to the fold after undergoing surgery on a liver tumour. Maxwell and Adriano could also play at left-back. Yet many believe that Javier Mascherano will stay in central defence and, if that proves to be true, maybe Guardiola fancies Mascherano’s extra mobility to cope with the lightning pace of Javier Hernández. Puyol has been hampered by recent knocks and, at 33, might not be in the best shape to track Chicarito. It would certainly be a big call considering Mascherano is more comfortable as a midfield anchorman.
Talking of which:
Sergio Busquets probably stands at the head of the queue for the holding role, with Seydou Keita also hoping to get the nod. It’s an important area, too, seeing as Wayne Rooney will drop in there when United lose possession.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola both have some tricky selection decisions to make for the final.
By Alan Smith 6:20AM BST 25 May 2011
There is a real determination in the United camp that they are not going to make the same mistake again, that they won’t pick players with too little match practice to face Barcelona in Saturday’s Champions League final. Sir Alex Ferguson and his coaches haven’t forgotten the error that contributed to their downfall in the final two years ago. Anderson, for example, hadn’t seen much action leading up to that Rome final, while Rio Ferdinand hadn’t kicked a ball since the semi-final second leg at Arsenal a full three weeks before.
As a result, neither was in the best physical condition for such a huge occasion and Pep Guardiola’s brilliant side took full advantage. The Catalans, of course, could easily prevail again should Lionel Messi and friends hit top form at Wembley. No side in the world are going to stop this lot if they click into gear the way that they can. Nevertheless, their job will be made a lot harder if United trust in players fully up to speed, players who got them to this stage as well as over the line in the Premier League.
Easy decisions for Ferguson then? Well, not really. It’s never straightforward for any manager when it comes to picking a side and a system to face Barcelona. Jose Mourinho proved that conclusively enough when he tried to be too clever in this year’s semi-final, Real Madrid adopting incredibly negative tactics at the Bernabéu. A fine balance is needed, then, between attack and defence, between nullifying Barca and presenting a threat yourself. This is where Ferguson must get it right as he weighs up one or two options.
His make-up in midfield:
Due to the reasons above, it doesn’t bode well for Darren Fletcher, who sadly missed out in Rome through suspension. Fletcher might have played the full 90 minutes against Blackpool on Sunday but that was his first start since being sidelined for two months with a nasty virus. So, as much as Ferguson admires his fellow Scot, a lad he has habitually banked on for the big games, this dogged midfielder surely can’t be ready for a match of this intensity. Mind you, will Ryan Giggs be OK to partner Michael Carrick? This combination has worked brilliantly in Europe but, for obvious reasons, Ferguson must decide whether Giggs is in a fit mental state. If not, Anderson’s energy could get the vote.
Who to play at right-back?
Fabio has been awarded the gig for all the big games lately, having seemingly moved ahead of his twin brother, Rafael. In addition, there is John O’Shea to consider for a position that becomes vital against the Blaugrana. With Pedro, David Villa and Messi taking it in turns to attack down that flank, United’s right-back must keep talking throughout to stay in touch with his fellow defenders. And it would help if he’s quick and sharp on the turn to keep track of the movement that makes many dizzy.
Barcelona
If Ferguson has decisions to make, so does Guardiola, although maybe to a lesser extent. We can all take a stab at Barca’s front six. For most of this season, the midfield and attack have picked themselves. It isn’t quite so straightforward at the back, though, where Carles Puyol’s absence through injury and Eric Abidal’s health problems have recently forced Guardiola to readjust.
Who partners Gerard Pique?
If he wants to, Guardiola could reinstate Puyol alongside Pique rather than asking Barca’s beast of a captain to fill in at left-back, as he did in both legs of the semi-final. Abidal, after all, could return to that slot, having mercifully returned to the fold after undergoing surgery on a liver tumour. Maxwell and Adriano could also play at left-back. Yet many believe that Javier Mascherano will stay in central defence and, if that proves to be true, maybe Guardiola fancies Mascherano’s extra mobility to cope with the lightning pace of Javier Hernández. Puyol has been hampered by recent knocks and, at 33, might not be in the best shape to track Chicarito. It would certainly be a big call considering Mascherano is more comfortable as a midfield anchorman.
Talking of which:
Sergio Busquets probably stands at the head of the queue for the holding role, with Seydou Keita also hoping to get the nod. It’s an important area, too, seeing as Wayne Rooney will drop in there when United lose possession.
I love this article
The nerves and heart is not going to handle this intensity for 90+ minutes!Doubt we'll go with that lineup
The feck?
Who is he to be predicting/telling us how we should line up?part of that is ok. the 2nd part about raising kids like SAF manages teams is just plain stupid.
I think Lineker's take is not too far off the mark.
But, if we play our best game of the season then we can win. simple
But, if we play our best game of the season then we can win. simple