Barcelona vs Manchester United

[Fergies Formula]

does know body want to see Berbatov in there? i feel he is made for this game, we need to keep the ball when we have got it, and be penetrative in these times - which is where he excels.

He comes deep and would act as the attacking midfielder linking the play, think this game would be better suited to him than anderson who may rush the play and force the issue when we need to pick our passes and not give up the ball cheaply.

 

[Brwned]

does know body want to see Berbatov in there? i feel he is made for this game, we need to keep the ball when we have got it, and be penetrative in these times - which is where he excels.

He comes deep and would act as the attacking midfielder linking the play, think this game would be better suited to him than anderson who may rush the play and force the issue when we need to pick our passes and not give up the ball cheaply.

Nah, I think we need players who can win he ball back quickly, people like Park, Tevez, Rooney, we're just going to have to accept they'll have more possession than us.

 

[Red Pavan]

Nah, I think we need players who can win he ball back quickly, people like Park, Tevez, Rooney, we're just going to have to accept they'll have more possession than us.

I agree on the fact that we do need to hurry them, but i think the possession share would be 50/50 - should be tight.

Although, i hope it would be a great attacking encounter. C'MON UNITED

 

[Carl]

If it was a full strength Barcelona side i would have gone for

VDS
O'Steady Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes
Park Anderson Rooney
Ronaldo​

But considering Alves isnt playing i don't think we need to worry about the full backs as much so i'd go for:

VDS
O'Steady Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes
Ronaldo Anderson Rooney
Berbatov​

Close one this i think.

0-1

Ronaldo

 

[lao]

night out means being out at 4am here...and that too alone as no one gives a feck about football. everyone doesn't live in england.

In Laos a year ago I broke into a restaurant at 3.45 am to watch a quarter final. Only company I had was a couple of rats, beats the hell out of a stream though.

 

[Fergies Formula]

Nah, I think we need players who can win he ball back quickly, people like Park, Tevez, Rooney, we're just going to have to accept they'll have more possession than us.

yeh we know they will have the majority, but its what we do with it that counts, on the counter attack. Berbatov can hit them passes and orchestrate the counters with park, ronaldo and rooney as the runners. Thats how i see it.

But it looks like neither tevez or berba are gonna play.

 

[Skelter]

Massimo Busacca

Massimo Busacca of Switzerland will take charge of the Uefa Champions League Final between Barcelona and Manchester United. Photograph: Frank Augstein/AP

Swiss official Massimo Busacca will referee Wednesday's Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona. His assistants will be countrymen Matthias Arnet and Francesco Buragina while Claudio Circhetta, also from Switzerland, will be the fourth official.

Busacca has already taken charge of a United game this season, their quarter-final second-leg victory over Porto. The final will be his 33rd Champions League match. Tom Henning Ovrebo, the Norwegian referee who was widely criticised for his handling of the semi-final second leg between Barcelona and Chelsea, has officiated at 22 Champions League matches. Uefa was accused at the time of giving an important game to an inexperienced referee and Busacca's levels of experience will be under scrutiny ahead of the match.

Busacca also refereed the 2007 Uefa Cup final between Espanyol and Sevilla, the Euro 2008 semi-final between Germany and Turkey and the 2006 World Cup second-round match between Argentina and Mexico.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/may/25/manchester-united-barcelona-ref-champions-league

 

[Adzzz]

Nervous now.

 

[Denis' cuff]

I don't necessarily think we need ball winners at the expense of ball keepers. Accepting they'll have more possession is tantamount to handing it to them - on the other hand, we can surrender possession and not go hareing around chasing it. Maybe better to let them pass themselves to death (a la Arsenal) as long as we don't let them penetrate. The key is to get in front and then we can use Scholes and Berbatov to keep possession. A bit chicken and egg - they can't dominate possession unless we give it to them. We have players who can pass and keep the ball. They can't do much without the ball.

 

[KeyserSoze]

I would like to see this team with Rooney and Ronaldo running at their full backs at full pace from the off. I would have no problem with Park playing instead of Berbatov either, he deserves it. Giggs or Scholes to replace each other after 60-70 minutes.

VDS
O'Shea Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes/Giggs
Ronaldo Anderson Rooney
Berbatov​

 

[Adzzz]

Manchester United Football Club.
The Red Devils
Formerly Newton Heath F.C
The Railway Boys
1968

1999

2008

The Theatre From Which We Come.

To Stadium Where We Shall Go.

Champions League Final 2009.

 

[Colly]

I don't necessarily think we need ball winners at the expense of ball keepers. Accepting they'll have more possession is tantamount to handing it to them - on the other hand, we can surrender possession and not go hareing around chasing it. Maybe better to let them pass themselves to death (a la Arsenal) as long as we don't let them penetrate. The key is to get in front and then we can use Scholes and Berbatov to keep possession. A bit chicken and egg - they can't dominate possession unless we give it to them. We have players who can pass and keep the ball. They can't do much without the ball.

That's it in a nutshell. I am expecting an absolute corker of a game actually. I think playing Ronaldo up top will but them on the back foot a little because he has the pace to trouble both their centre-halves. Park and Rooney will squeez in when we're without the ball and stretch them wide when we have it. The wings are key - Barca play most of their football very centrally, so if we can break out wide we can really hurt them. The Ronaldo/Park/Rooney breakaway and goal v Arsenal was a beaut and that sort of thing will be on the cards.

If we're in trouble, then Carlos will come on. If we're ahead then Berbatov will come on and help us play keep-ball

I predict 1-2 to United !!

 

[Doevle]

If it was a full strength Barcelona side i would have gone for

VDS
O'Steady Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes
Park Anderson Rooney
Ronaldo​

But considering Alves isnt playing i don't think we need to worry about the full backs as much so i'd go for:

VDS
O'Steady Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes
Ronaldo Anderson Rooney
Berbatov​

Close one this i think.

0-1

Ronaldo

Why would you not want to play our player of the year?

 

[Jacob]

Jacob's prediction

Line-up:

----------------------------------VDS------------------------------
O'Shea-----------Ferdinand------------Vidic--------------Evra
-------------Anderson--------Carrick-----Scholes-------------
Park--------------------------Ronaldo-------------------Rooney

Score: Barcelona 1 - 1 Manchester United

Goals: Rooney

Player to watch: Park

 

[Carl]

Why would you not want to play our player of the year?

I presume you mean Giggs? To be honest for me it's a toss up between Giggs and Scholes. I'll be happy with either. I just think Scholes - Carrick works marginally better than Giggs - Carrick.

I think we won't see as much of the ball as we usually do so we need players that will keep hold of it, and Scholes is better than Giggs at that imo.

 

[giggs-beckham]

53 hrs to go!

 

[UnofficialDevil]

Come On United!!!

 

[Havak]

Van der Sar
O'Shea Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes Anderson
Park Ronaldo Rooney
--
Subs: Kuszczak; Rafael, Evans; Giggs, Nani; Tévez, Berbatov​

So, I think this is blatently the starting line up. We could see Tévez or Berbatov force their way in, but I highly doubt they'd get in over Park or Rooney. The only other 'surprises' I can see happening are Neville or Brown nicking the place on the bench from Rafael since he was a bit poor against Hull. But due to lack of fitness and how much Rafael has contributed throughout the season, I think it'd be a little unfair. The other is Gibson taking Nani's spot. Nani really has nothing to justify him taking that place on the bench over Gibson.. but for some reason I still see Nani taking that final spot with Fletcher missing the final.

It's going to be an incredibly tough game, but I see us winning it. Admittedly, we haven't won a final (Carling Cup, FA Cup, Champions League) without taking it to penalties since we beat Wigan 4-0 in the Carling Cup final, but I don't think it'll go to that again, not even extra time.

 

[Longlivekeano]

--------------------Van Der Sar----------------



--O Shea--------Rio---------Vidic---------Evra--



--------------------Carrick---------------------



------------Scholes-----------Anderson-----------



---Park---------------------------------Rooney---



-------------------Ronaldo-----------------------



Subs: Kuzczak, Evans, Brown, Tevez, Berbatov, Giggs, Nani
Prediction:2-1 win for us with goals from Ronaldo, Vidic

 

[Skelter]

VDS, OShea, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Giggs, Carrick, Anderson, Park, Rooney, Ronaldo

PIG, Brown, Evans, Nani, Scholes, Berbatov, Tevez

 

[neno]

Scholes won`t start.

Yes he can keep possession but we wont play that game agaisnt barcelona. we will kill them on the counter, thats our goal and giggsy is better at that plus he is on better form and his tackling is decent. We will need players that are quick and that can run around to get the ball back quickly too. which scholsey unfortunately isnt that kind of player.

--------VDS
O´Shea Rio Vidic Evra
--Carrick--Anderson
Park---Giggs---Rooney
----The Specimen

 

[Mozza]

--------VDS
O´Shea Rio Vidic Evra
--Carrick--Anderson
Park--Berba--Rooney
------Ronaldo

 

[SharkyMcShark]

Jacob's prediction

Line-up:

----------------------------------VDS------------------------------
O'Shea-----------Ferdinand------------Vidic--------------Evra
-------------Anderson--------Carrick-----Scholes-------------
Park--------------------------Ronaldo-------------------Rooney

Score: Barcelona 1 - 1 Manchester United

Goals: Rooney

Player to watch: Park

I approve of this.

 

[rednev]

Why are most so confident that Park will play ahead of both Berbatov and Tevez?

I'm not saying he shouldn't, but how often has that happened this season?

 

[Devils Advocate]

i'll be very surprised if the team isnt the same as the one picked against arsenal at the emirates but with giggs for fletch. even more surprised so many have scholes ahead of giggs for this game.

 

[Treble]

--------VDS
O´Shea Rio Vidic Evra
--Carrick--Anderson
Park--Berba--Rooney
------Ronaldo

--------VDS
O´Shea Rio Vidic Evra
--Carrick--Anderson
Rooney--Berba--Park
------Ronaldo

 

[Fergies Formula]

--------VDS
O´Shea Rio Vidic Evra
--Carrick--Anderson
Rooney--Berba--Park
------Ronaldo

this is the team I would prefer, with either anderson or giggs alongside carrick!

 

[Striker10]

--------VDS
O´Shea Rio Vidic Evra
--Carrick--Anderson
Rooney--Berba--Park
------Ronaldo

I'd just swap berbatov for Tevez. The work rate of rooney, tevez, Park would be fantastic as would the movement. I'm not overly keen with Ronaldo there but I think with Tevez, park etc all these player have the ability to rotate

Other that that, it's a strong team..obviously

Lets not forget the start we made against chelsea. If their back four is dodgy, I just think it's important to press them as soon as we can and force them into a mistake here and there

 

[VidaRed]

Jacob's prediction

Line-up:

----------------------------------VDS------------------------------
O'Shea-----------Ferdinand------------Vidic--------------Evra
-------------Anderson--------Carrick-----Scholes-------------
Park--------------------------Ronaldo-------------------Rooney

Score: Barcelona 1 - 1 Manchester United

Goals: Rooney

Player to watch: Park

who will win ???

 

[StringerBell]

--------VDS
O´Shea Rio Vidic Evra
--Carrick--Anderson
Park--Berba--Rooney
------Ronaldo

Subs: PIG, Brown, Evans, Giggs, Scholes, Tevez, Macheda

Nani's performances this season haven't earned him a place in the squad.

Predict we will be all over them, a 3-0 victory with Berba, Ronnie and Park scoring with Fergie standing on the sidelines for the last 30 mins, just enjoying the moment a la Capello in the '94 final.

 

[rednev]

----------------VDS------------

O'Shea-----Rio------Vidic-----Evra-

--Anderson---Carrick---Scholes----

---Ronaldo---Berbatov---Rooney---

Bench: PIG, Brown, Evans, Nani, Giggs, Park, Teveth

 

[Northstand]

--------VDS
O´Shea Rio Vidic Evra
--Carrick--Anderson
Park--Berba--Rooney
------Ronaldo

Subs: PIG, Brown, Evans, Giggs, Scholes, Tevez, Macheda

Nani's performances this season haven't earned him a place in the squad.

Predict we will be all over them, a 3-0 victory with Berba, Ronnie and Park scoring with Fergie standing on the sidelines for the last 30 mins, just enjoying the moment a la Capello in the '94 final.

Wish I had this sort of confidence!

I think we are marginal favourites, but it's simply down to who really performs on the night. Both sides have outstanding ability throughout, and both are full of confidence having wrapped up their respective leagues. United's superior defensive abilities could count, but Barca perhaps have a slight edge up front! This one is so close that the two Barca omissions, Alves and Abidal, could be that bit more damaging than our one, Fletch.

VDS

JOS------Vidic-----Rio-----Evra

Carrick

Park-----Anderson------Giggs-----Rooney

Ronaldo

 

[Maciej]

I remember that thread when about ten users were writing about creating Champions League Final Matchday Thread and I have to write I expected something more. I thought it’s going to be a good thread to read with many interesting quotes, statistics and graphics, but when that user started this thread at KC Stadium it was 88th minute. It was unfair to the users who had (I guess) well prepared thread to submit. Dog eat dog. Fergies Formula, you made this thread and you should have done it perfectly. I don’t think that Matchday Threads are very important, because we usually don’t see any worth reading discussion there, but if someone decides to do it, he should do it professionally. Moreover, it’s thread about our most important game of the season, Champions League Final. I guess you wanted your name below thread title more than a good post.

 

[Doevle]

I remember that thread when about ten users were writing about creating Champions League Final Matchday Thread and I have to write I expected something more. I thought it’s going to be a good thread to read with many interesting quotes, statistics and graphics, but when that user started this thread at KC Stadium it was 88th minute. It was unfair to the users who had (I guess) well prepared thread to submit. Dog eat dog. Fergies Formula, you made this thread and you should have done it perfectly. I don’t think that Matchday Threads are very important, because we usually don’t see any worth reading discussion there, but if someone decides to do it, he should do it professionally. Moreover, it’s thread about our most important game of the season, Champions League Final. I guess you wanted your name below thread title more than a good post.

Bitter?

 

[Fergies Formula]

Bitter?

looks that way doesn't it

 

[Maciej]

Bitter?

No.

 

[Fergies Formula]

I remember that thread when about ten users were writing about creating Champions League Final Matchday Thread and I have to write I expected something more. I thought it’s going to be a good thread to read with many interesting quotes, statistics and graphics, but when that user started this thread at KC Stadium it was 88th minute. It was unfair to the users who had (I guess) well prepared thread to submit. Dog eat dog. Fergies Formula, you made this thread and you should have done it perfectly. I don’t think that Matchday Threads are very important, because we usually don’t see any worth reading discussion there, but if someone decides to do it, he should do it professionally. Moreover, it’s thread about our most important game of the season, Champions League Final. I guess you wanted your name below thread title more than a good post.

is it really that big a deal... talk about being bitter!!

I wasnt watching the match, assumed that the final whistle had blown looking at the time and then posted it...

I got an idea for you; get over it, move on and start thinking about Wednesdays game which is much bigger than this thread.

 

[Maciej]

is it really that big a deal... talk about being bitter!!

I wasnt watching the match, assumed that the final whistle had blown looking at the time and then posted it...

I got an idea for you; get over it, move on and start thinking about Wednesdays game which is much bigger than this thread.

Chill out.

I received two day ban because of that Homer picture and I wasn't able to write it when you made this thread. I just wanted to write what I thought about it and sorry if you think I'm against you. No, that's not true.

I might have left this thread.

And I've started to think about Wednesday's game (you don't need to care about me) and I'm ready to write 'I'm shitting myself' on Wednesday.

 

[Fergies Formula]

Chill out.

I received two day ban because of that Homer picture and I wasn't able to write it when you made this thread. I just wanted to write what I thought about it and sorry if you think I'm against you. No, that's not true.

I might have left this thread.

And I've started to think about Wednesday's game (you don't need to care about me) and I'm ready to write 'I'm shitting myself' on Wednesday.

ok.... i think i get your drift

 

[rednev]

I'm watching CL Preview on ITV now, and I feel like vomitting at the Barca wank-fest.

'Barca are more than a club, they are an institution'. 'The city does not function without FC Barcelona'. 'Beautiful football'. 'Messi is a combination of Cruyff and Maradona'. 'Dream team' etc etc.

I really fecking hope we beat them.