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In order for United to win they need to have everyone fit and on form. Play with a flat back four of Evra, Rio, Vidic and Rafael (Or maybe start with O'Shea for a bit more expereince). In midfield it would be tempting to play 2 defensive minded players in the centre, or 2 players who can defend in in order to cut off Xavi and Iniesta. However I think Fergie will probably opt for a Carrick and Scholes partnership, which would benefit United over the course of the game because Scholes can attack and create chances wheras Carrick can sit deep and set up attacks with an accurate long ball.

On the wings it'll probably be Nani and Giggs, although Giggs did perform brilliantly from the centre against Chelsea. If Giggs played centrally, it would be unlikely that Scholes would play and Park would play on the wing. In fact, I'm starting to like the team that played Chelsea as I type. If United were to go in front against Barcelona, then it'd be just as effective to bring Scholes on for Park, switch Nani out right and bring Giggs on to the left. Reason I like Sholes is that he has the ability to shake players up a bit with his tackles without the game descending into a bit of a fight. Carrick doesn't really have this ability so maybe Fletcher could play instead if he's match fit. Flecther will worke tirelessly all game to hound players, just a shame he lacks the technical attributes that Carrick has in building attacks.

Up front it really needs to be Rooney and Hernandez. Hernandez is only a young player and a pretty quick player at that, he needs to be told by Ferguson to chase down every single loose ball or anything that is passed backwards from Barcelona into their defensive third. I wouldn't opt for a 2 centre forward approach, Hernandez needs to be the striker whilst rooney needs to have a free role behind him.

In terms of the way the game is played, we all know United can beat Barcelona, it's just a case of going out with that mentality. Absolutely do not sit back and let Barcelona play their football, let Barcelona adapt the way they play in order to stop United.

Originally posted by Coen:[..]
United also have some mighty important matches before the final (e.d. chelsea this sunday) which is in my opinion in their disadvantage. Barcelona can completely focus on the Champions League final since their La Liga title is almost secured. So even though at the moment Barcelona players might be tired (dont say that they are) they have 3 weeks to fully recover!

It might well be Chelsea on Sunday but psychologically Unitd have the upper hand having beat them twice in quick succession and just rolled off the back of a 4-1 victory in the Champions League. after that United can afford to rest playeres regardless of the opposition (Blackburn away, Blackpool at home). A lot of players were rested for Schalke so expect some of the same against Blackburn and Blackpool.

bartajax

14 years

I think Ferguson will play like this (If everybody stays fit)
Van der Sar
Rafael ----------Ferdinand---------Vidic----------Evra
Carrick---------Giggs
Nani--------------------Rooney---------------------Park
Hernandez

Park is a middfielder with a high work rate, so he will defend too. Giggs is a great player with a lot of experience in big matches, so needs to play. Carrick is the one who needs to defend Iniesta and Xavi.

clover68

14 years

i think Park could be a very good one in the center, mostly on Messi tracks but he can even help Carrick/Fletcher vs Xavi/Iniesta.
i liked Giggs in the centre but maybe with Barca he could be too much sacrificed and in the wings he'd make Dani Alves very worried and busy.
so i would go for the schema Bart said just exchanging the position of Park and Giggs

i think(hope) Man Utd is going to raise the cup .. i bet on Giggs

, Chicharito scorers

iTim

14 years

Originally posted by clover68:i think Park could be a very good one in the center, mostly on Messi tracks but he can even help Carrick/Fletcher vs Xavi/Iniesta.
i liked Giggs in the centre but maybe with Barca he could be too much sacrificed and in the wings he'd make Dani Alves very worried and busy.
so i would go for the schema Bart said just exchanging the position of Park and Giggs

i think(hope) Man Utd is going to raise the cup .. i bet on Giggs , Chicharito scorers

Thing I like about Nani on the left is that Dani Alves plays a very advanced game so is often prone to leaving the right side of defence open and with Nani being quicker than Giggs he may be able to attack it more efficiently.

I do agree with Park's work rate against Xavi and Iniesta, could really place them under pressure and force them to play it a lot squarer than usual.

WojBhoy

14 years

Originally posted by iTim:Thing I like about Nani on the left is that Dani Alves plays a very advanced game so is often prone to leaving the right side of defence open and with Nani being quicker than Giggs he may be able to attack it more efficiently.

I do agree with Park's work rate against Xavi and Iniesta, could really place them under pressure and force them to play it a lot squarer than usual.

Slight understatement on Alves - I've rarely ever seen a 'full-back' (in name only) who defends as little as he does / needs to. Maybe Ramos...

clover68

14 years

and there that Manchester will have the best chances, less on the right side if Puyol will be there again.

iTim

14 years

Originally posted by WojBhoy:[..]
Slight understatement on Alves - I've rarely ever seen a 'full-back' (in name only) who defends as little as he does / needs to. Maybe Ramos...

This is where United need to exploit if they want to fully expose Barcelona and teach them a lesson. Invite Alves foward, allow Rooney to drift out wide in the space he's left and in turn it should stretch the remaining defenders out a bit in order to cover Rooney. Then as soon as United win the ball, look for Rooney out in Alves' space, allow the right midfielder (Park/Nani/Valencia) to drift inside to support Hernandez (or possibly force the right midfielder as wide as possible to keep the Barcelona left back to stay out with him. Get the ball over onto the left, hopefully to Rooney who should be free and let him go from there.

Barcelona play a very predictable game of football in reality, the problem is though, clubs see Barcelona nd immediately think about how they're going to defend against the attackers. Let's not forget that they have a goalkeeper, who isn't the best in the world and also a defence that can be penetrated. To win the game, the absolute minimum you have to do is score. By defending all game, you won't score. you may draw but you can't rely on taking it to penalties. Sir alex needs to sit down and think about how they're going to make Barcelona chase United. Barcelona's attackers are hardly renowned for their ability to track back and defend, not in the same way Rooney/Drogba etc can be seen defending anyway.

Originally posted by clover68:and there that Manchester will have the best chances, less on the right side if Puyol will be there again.

Problem I find with Puyol is he's a classic central defender, by which I mean his strengths lie in his ability to sit and allow defenders to come at him, then he puts in a strong tackle to win the ball. To play in the RB/LB positions you need a bit of agility thrown in there too. I think in a RW vs LB situation, the advantage is sually with the winger because he can maybe take a heavy touch past the LB and be past him before he's had chance to turn, then he only needs to cross it in. I think pace could potentially be Puyol's downfall, if Nani played against him and didn't let Puyol win any of the early battles, then I think Nani will have the upper hand throughout the game. That said, Puyol is pretty versatile in defence but I don't believe left back is his strongest position.

germcevoy

14 years

I feel Barca are beatable this time around. I didn't in 09. Looking forward to it though and also glad I didn't book to go to Slane for Kings Of Leon.

clover68

14 years

Originally posted by iTim:[..] That said, Puyol is pretty versatile in defence but I don't believe left back is his strongest position.

absolutely and with him in left back the center is weaker for sure; i would not trust much on Mascherano in that position .. he could easily end with a red card

u2spear

14 years