The excitement. The hype. Having lifted the Premier League trophy for the 19th time merely a week earlier, it was time to focus attentions for the all important trip to Wembley, to take on a Barcelona side who themselves had been crowned champions of their league.
Sir Alex Ferguson gave little away but was keen to stress that having wrapped up the title early, all attention would no be focused on preparing for what would hopefully be a momentous occasion, and the perfect farewell to the retiring Edwin Van Der Sar. Many column inches were devoted to discussing potential tactics, praising players on both sides and suggestions as to how Manchester United might set themselves up and ways in which they would prevent them from simply controlling the game with their strong possession play.
As the time drew near potential team selection was speculated, with the main arguments centred around who would start in midfield, with many believing Michael Carrick would get a starting berth ahead of Darren Fletcher, partnering Ryan Giggs, with Park and Valencia out wide. With the back line of Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra, and Rooney and Hernandez up front, Ferguson looked to be going with what had settled as his regular line up in recent times, looking to set up positively and cause disruption in Barcelona’s style of play. And as his squad lined up and got into position for kick off, it was time to put the preparation to the test.
Despite the widely accepted belief that Barcelona were strong favourites, it was still a case of anything being possible on the big occasion. Despite a positive start that allowed the Catalan side little time on the ball, Pep Guardiola’s side soon settled, keeping possession with relative ease and making United chase the ball. The dominance paid off when in the 27th minute when Xavi played through to Pedro who calmly slotted home to give his side a 1-0 lead. Despite the setback, United capitalised on a mistake in Barcelona’s half on the right, with strong pressure that allowed Rooney and Giggs to play a one-two ending with Rooney placing a shot past Victor Valdes into the corner of the net, going into half time all square. However, after the break Guardiola’s side looked to put the game beyond reasonable doubt, as they asserted themselves on the game with Xavi and Iniesta controlling proceedings in the midfield and creating plenty going forward, adopting a policy of shoot on sight. And they were reward when Lionel Messi found himself with more space than should have been allowed and was able to fire home from outside the box on 54 minutes. For much of the second half United failed to register a shot as Barcelona took a stranglehold on proceedings, adding a finishing touch when on 69 minutes David Villa curled a shot past Van Der Sar after creative play from Messi. And so the game looked settled, with United struggling to find an answer or an opportunity, and Barcelona saw the game out at 3-1, and once again being crowned Champions of Europe. And for the final time this season, here are five things that may be taken from a disappointing trip to Wembley.
1) Barcelona – Deserved Winners
Stating the obvious, perhaps, but regardless it should be said Barcelona were simply the better team. Their ability to keep the ball so well when in possession and to apply so much pressure when without it was simply too much for United’s midfield to handle. Michael Carrick was simply made to look anonymous at times, and although Park was full of energy in chasing the ball, he simply found little luck against them. Of course when they remain in possession for so long then United have no chance going forward, and simply could not make use of the possession they had, often giving it away and resorting to long balls at times. The lack of control also meant Valencia was stuck out wide, having to carry out defensive duties with Fabio for much of the game and rarely providing Abidal with any trouble. The issue when playing such a side is that players may tend to get frustrated, and there may have been worries in the first half when careless tackles went in. As well as this, the lack of attacking play meant Hernandez was virtually a lone target up front for much of the game, with little service that lead to him being called offside more than having much to do. The way that Barcelona set up to play was too much to handle, going forward in large numbers with a midfield that refuses to give anything away, allowing their attacking players in Pedro, Messi and Villa to have free reign in troubling United’s defence. Despite Vidic’s best efforts, the Catalan side were simply too strong going forward and could do little when they began to start shooting from distance in the second half.
2) Did Ferguson get the team selection wrong?
It is, of course, unclear whether or not a different starting line up will have altered the outcome of the final, but one must wonder if United set up correctly facing up to a side known to dominate possession and essentially starve the opposition of the ball until the match is won. With a four man midfield it could be argued that United were inadequately equipped to cope in the middle of the pitch. It could be argued that Darren Fletcher could have had benefit in a 5 man midfield, possibly with the idea of disrupting their play and not allowing them time on the ball, with Hernandez given a role on the bench for later in the game. As well as this, it may have been beneficial to start with Nani from the beginning. Valencia’s form has been superb and his traditional tendencies on the wing may have helped in his choosing for the game, leaving United less exposed on the right but Nani may well have created more attacking options to a plan that had little effect for most of the game. The Portuguese winger’s introduction for Fabio later on seemed to show this with glimpses of a potential threat, although his efforts were in vain.
3) Have we seen the last of Berbatov?
The biggest surprise to the pre-match talk was the announcement that Dimitar Berbatov would not even have a place on the bench for Saturday’s showpiece. With Michael Owen preferred, Ferguson opted for substitute options weighted towards the midfield, with Anderson, Scholes and Fletcher occupying places. Despite a prolific season in front of goal for United, the Bulgarian striker has found himself increasingly coming off the bench in games, in part due to the form of Hernandez. However, despite his form, in Europe he has been left wanting on many occasions, often failing to find the net and get on the scoresheet. But for a player that thrives on confidence this will undoubtedly have been a big setback, and if rumours that he left the stadium before kick off are to be believed, then we can say that probability that Berbatov will be sent to pastures new, is somewhat high. If this is true then I think it unfortunate for someone who had just found their way within the United side, but with big changes forecast at Old Trafford this Summer, it remains to be seen what impact such decisions will have.
4) Could the defence have set up better?
Barcelona being as relentless as they had going forward, it was always more than likely that they would find themselves on the scoresheet. Able to cut open the back line in a matter of a couple of passes, the defenders will have had an extremely tough task in preventing conceding, particularly when the midfield was being made to chase the ball so much. However, one still has to question whether certain aspects could have been better. For example, one may ask whether Messi was allowed far too much space to shoot for Barcelona’s second, something which had been threatened on more than one occasion with others. Van Der Sar’s position for said goal has always been thought upon although it could be argued he was not expecting Messi to shoot as he did. Finally, the space allowed for Pedro to go in on goal in the first half is something that may well be considered far too easy. Perhaps the preoccupation in marking Messi meant more space was available for others to create chances, perhaps Barcelona’s possession made these chances inevitable. Regardless, some United fans will wonder if the set up could have been better going into the game.
5) Lionel Messi – The Key
Enough superlatives have been written about the Argentine superstar without this writer continuing to add to that list. But the magnificent skills of Messi with the ball at his feet is without comparison and the way he is able to play as though the ball had been glued to his feet even with defenders attempting to challenge him leaves many in awe. His creative play and effectiveness on the ball puts him on the pinnacle of world football with good cause. However, a note should also be made of Barcelona as a team, where the majority of the side represented the Spanish national side in being crowned World Champions last year. With such unity and familiarity, as well as the culture that is associated with being a youth player at the club it is small wonder that they are able to develop into such a strong squad. Time will tell whether it is considered the greatest club side of all time.
So United fans found their season ending on a disappointing note. Second best throughout, the Champions of England simply could not find an answer to an ever incredible Barcelona side. Sir Alex Ferguson will undoubtedly pick his players up, refreshed for a new season and with a new challenge to mount on all fronts, domestically and in Europe. It has been a season of success, and fans can be in no doubt that Ferguson will be as hungry as ever for more silverware and for another chance to be crowned European Champions. A disappointing end, but Manchester United move on, ready for another season.
Follow Zayd on Twitter: @Zayd90 and follow Red Flag Flying High: @RFFH
I think the most blatent thing we learned that the premiership is the most overated league in the world.Even the europa cup tournament proves the point.Its shite…
Have you watched the Spanish league? It’s not even slightly competitive. Just Barcelona and Madrid, the rest just follow suit. Premier league makes for a far more entertaining prospect.
no… have you watched it? man u would have finished 3rd!
Right so behind the two top teams I mentioned, therefore making the rest inferior. Hence, the Premier League is far more competitive.
Are you sure Zayd. If so, MU should have got past Valencia so easily. They didnt.
And even some of the bottom teams in La Ligue have put up better performances against Barcelona. At least they have troubled Valdes much more than MU did, in 90 minutes.
It is not possible to compare between two leagues. I would not, just like its impossible to compare players and teams from two eras.
I honestly think so. For a start the only two competitive teams in the Spanish league are Madrid and Barca, if any other club tries, financially they get ruined very quickly, Valencia being the main case in point. At least in the Premier League the top 4/5 are all fairly competitive. I didn’t say the quality of Barca and Madrid should be questioned, but spread over the league, The Premier league has far more competitive teams, regardless of the perceived quality of individual players.
Told you before. Giggs and Carrick should Never play against Barca. Barca has the best midfield, and Carrick and Giggs were always walking instead of closing up and pressing. Belive me, the best midfield option could have been Nani Park Anderson Valencia. Those who can run, attack and press to get the ball.
Did you notice everytime Barca lost the game the Pressed in a fast hungry way unlike man utd players who just watched and left space for passes. That’s why we lost.
Same mistake as 09.
Get Sneijder Diarra and Sanchez. Two playmakers and a defensive midfielder will do. But as the rumors that A. Young is coming, all teams will laugh at us cos we still have same same weakness. Midfield.
The way Barbetov and Nani have been treated this last games is pathetic. 50 goals made and scored by them but still Benched, is Unfair.
True but Berbatov has lacked effect in Europe. Nani should definitely have started, and yes the midfield was overwhelmed, the pressure from Barcelona when they were off the ball was relentless.
Couldn’t agree more. Absolutely no energy in the middle, and carrick and a 37 yr old giggs (love ya giggsy) against the best possession partnership On the planet just doesn’t add up. Surely we either try and keep the ball, in which case we don’t stand off so deep, or we sit back, let them play in front of the midfield and try and hit them on the break, in which case we want the energetic, fit, terriers in there like fletch and Anderson. Carrick was dreadful: his strength (allegedly) is when he has the ball. He was like a chocolate fire guard against iniesta and xavi.
Barcelona was the better team in every aspect in the final. The short passes played by the winners was really emulating thier talents and capability. barcelona had a deserving win over the english champians.
And who in there right mind plays a testimonial game midweek before a champions league final.
I complained why weren’t our players pressing! Then I started laughing how Barca were passing the ball while our players stood and watched. Then I laughed louder when we lost..
i cant agree more. i saw a replay. iniesta and xavi were passing the ball and our “midfielders” just stood there in awe.
the 3 goals were avoidable.
we should be proud because our team made it to the final and we lost to the best. BULLSHIT. gimme a fucking break. 2009 all over again. no one gave a shit but rooney. i knew it. wrong team selection. we didnt have a strong midfield thats why barcelona took the game to the middle because park and valencia were making their lives a living hell
It’s hard to imagine any team beating Barca the way they played yesterday, which was high even to their own standards. But yes, in hindsight there can’t be any doubt a 4-5-1 with Nani over Valencia makes much more sense. In naivity I hoped we’d pick a 4-4-2; however I did hope we’d go for Nani. Valencia’s dependable, but is not really a player who can produce a moment of magic like Nani can, which we always would’ve needed when facing Barca. Moreover, Barca’s incredible ability to close down (like a team full of Parks) means Nani with his superior ball control would’ve been a better asset.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’m not claiming there would’ve been a different result, only that what if’s are all apart of losing a Final.
I think that manchester untied’s defense could have done more, and the main key of this game was to watch Messi and make sure he didnt have the ball. however, they are the second best soccer team after BArc.
Growing in LA in the 50’s and 60’s I played baseball, basketball, golf and our version of football never having much interest in “the beautiful game” as you call, but watching the Premier League games this season I finally understood why the sport is followed so passionately.
As the season progressed and I began to appreciate the subtleties of the game and to marvel at the artistry of the once in a generation player, otherwise known as Wayne Rooney. And as Man U was now my football club, besides Rooney the players I considered “no Brainers” for each match were Nani, Giggs, Evra, Hernandez and Berbatov, most especially Dimitar Berbatov, who had that magic about him, “a gamer”, and the highest compliment an American of my generation can pay to an athlete.
So, when I learned Saturday morning that Sir Alex not only wasn’t starting Nani or Berbatov, but that he hadn’t even made a place on the bench for the co-Golden Boot winner, I knew we would lose. That feeling was confirmed when I saw how easily Messi was being allowed to move around with the ball and without any Man U player in close touch. When Messi put Barcelona up 2 to 1, Nani, Berbatov and Fletcher No Dimitar Berbatov meant Man U was a small as Spain up front. Minus Nani, only Park could keep up with Messi and company.
So True. It really pains me seeing how Barbetov and Nani have been treated this 2nd part of the season. So SAD.