https://www.espn.com/soccer/matchstats?gameId=239745
https://www.espn.com/soccer/matchstats?gameId=239781
Pre Pep Barcelona, 07-08 semi finals 27% to 73% and 38% to 62% in possession!
As others already pointed out, in both legs, we were not shy to play to our strength at the time which was soaking pressure and counter attacking. Gary Neville whether he is alive or dead to you, mentioned Queiroz important defensive tactical work against Barcelona, in one of his book. Why ain't we hearing about how fantastic our attack plan was, but specifically defensive one instead? Queiroz is well known for his pragmatic approach to tactic.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/24/carlos-quieroz-iran-world-cup
If we're never good at "that", I'd love to hear your tactical explanation for the gameplan for these 2 games. What happened that the following season, we're so much better as attacking team, that going toe to toe vs a much improved Barcelona led by Pep was better idea, when our former players shared same sentiment that Queiroz defensive coaching and tactic was right, and skeptical about our approach in 2009?
https://www.espn.com/soccer/matchstats?gameId=266961
2009 final 48% to 52% possession.
Clearly we had an intention to go toe to toe despite the opposition had much improved. This same opposition then was known for their dominance in such type of football.
Edit: Evra echoed what Gary Neville said
'Honestly, Carlos Queiroz was very important for the squad because he knew very well the tactics,' says Evra, a beneficiary of Queiroz's ability with the French language and his
daily defensive coaching.
'I remember the semi-final against Barcelona away when he was speaking with everybody before the second half.
The tactic was to have the team very compact and to let Barcelona play with the ball. He said possession didn't matter. "Stay compact and when you win the ball go forward as quickly as possible." I was feeling the team very strong at Barcelona, and I think this was the work of Carlos Queiroz. Tactically he brought something important to Man United."
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/oct/19/manchesterunited