2011 CL Final: FC Barcelona - Manchester United FC 3-1 - Champions!

[woobie]

Hi, Unbiased. I've got a question for you. I don't watch a whole lot of English football but the sense I get is that this season, United's defense can be vulnerable (I'm thinking of injury to either Vidic or Ferdinand and replacements being a bit dodgy as well as the fullbacks having occasional brain farts). Am I just imagining things or is the back for a cause for a bit of concern among United fans?

 

[Unbiased United]

Hi, Unbiased. I've got a question for you. I don't watch a whole lot of English football but the sense I get is that this season, United's defense can be vulnerable (I'm thinking of injury to either Vidic or Ferdinand and replacements being a bit dodgy as well as the fullbacks having occasional brain farts). Am I just imagining things or is the back for a cause for a bit of concern among United fans?

Truthfully I'd have to disagree I think (although we were a bit shakey early in the season), because along with Hernandez, Smalling as been unexpectedly excellent for us this season when either Vidic or Ferdinand have been injured or rested. Maybe your right in the sense that, we feel so secure when Vid or Fer play that when one is missing we know its really hard to replace them. But when Rio was injured last time he almost didn't get his spot back from Smalling as his preformances had been that good. Then you have the two young twins Fabio and Rafael, who have been absolutely brilliant too, and Evra. I'm really happy with our defence.
That said though they are only Human...and I'm not sure Messi is!

I'm sounding like a broken record now, but I'd say our center of midfield is definately more of a concern amongst fans.

 

[FiReFTW]

Ain't nothing wrong with being confident and believing in your own team but comments like "We will dominate them , We will destroy them 3-0 etc..." seriously? We lost to freakin Hercules at home, anything can happen in soccer and here we're talking about Man Utd, a very strong team.
I never did understood how people can be so cocky , then when the other thing happens they look like freaking idiots.

 

[woobie]

Thanks for the response, Unbiased. I could well be off on my perceptions but I only watch English games once in a rare while. I do think that Barca's midfield can be pretty fearsome and that may well be the key area for the game - can United's holding mids contain Xavi et al and help move the ball up to the United strikers quickly enough for the speed to be useful? It'll be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Guardian]

And they are appreciated, Guard. Would argue the Eto'o > Villa point though. Its obviously not a ridiculous claim, it'll be down to personal opinion, but Villa's better for me.

One quick point. I think Park will almost certainly start, he has the work rate to help pressure Barca, which is what Utd need to do as much of as possible.

I'd have said the same few months ago, but I'm deeply disappointed with Villa lately, I expect more from him.

I think they'll start with Chicharito and Rooney upfront, and with Carrick, Giggs, Fletcher and Nani in midfield. But will see, Park has two faces, sometimes is great and sometimes he is very ineffective.

 

[Unbiased United]

Ain't nothing wrong with being confident and believing in your own team but comments like "We will dominate them , We will destroy them 3-0 etc..." seriously? We lost to freakin Hercules at home, anything can happen in soccer and here we're talking about Man Utd, a very strong team.
I never did understood how people can be so cocky , then when the other thing happens they look like freaking idiots.

Very well said.

It is a shock when you hear people saying that, as though we are some mid table team, and not top of our league and in the Champions league final too. But people will always be that ignorant. He'd do well to look up when the last team beat us by more than one goal was! I can't remember it!

I personally think it will be a great spectacle for the sport, and think both teams will give it a really good go, and you can bet Pep and his players will give ManUtd all the respect they deserve, just as SAF and his players will do.

Thanks for the response, Unbiased. I could well be off on my perceptions but I only watch English games once in a rare while. I do think that Barca's midfield can be pretty fearsome and that may well be the key area for the game - can United's holding mids contain Xavi et al and help move the ball up to the United strikers quickly enough for the speed to be useful? It'll be interesting to see what happens.

I agree, thats going to be a key part to the game. I think Rooney will have to drop back to help, but luckily he's good at that. It will be tough though....

I'd have said the same few months ago, but I'm deeply disappointed with Villa lately, I expect more from him.

I think they'll start with Chicharito and Rooney upfront, and with Carrick, Giggs, Fletcher and Nani in midfield. But will see, Park has two faces, sometimes is great and sometimes he is very ineffective.

Park on the left, Valencia on the right with Giggs and Fletcher/Carrick/Anderson in the middle. I'd be VERY surprised if its not that. But yeah Rooney, Hernandez up front.

 

[impeh]

you dont think scholes will start?

 

[greek scavenger]

I'd be very surprised if Park plays to be honest considering Valencia's work rate is magnicient aswell and going forward he is so much better than park Ji Sung.

you dont think scholes will start?

No, he won't. He's useless in games where United don't have much of the ball due to the fact that he doesn't have the legs anymore.

 

[Unbiased United]

Oh and don't forget guys if its not working out there's always the small matter of the EPL's top scorer Berbatov to come to the rescue!

I'd be very surprised if Park plays to be honest considering Valencia's work rate is magnicient aswell and going forward he is so much better than park Ji Sung.



No, he won't. He's useless in games where United don't have much of the ball due to the fact that he doesn't have the legs anymore.

Definately agree with Scholes, but i think they (Park, Valencia) both will start. Park is our true unsung hero. SAF loves him.

 

[Barcaman]

Oh ok! ...I'm not actually. I don't usually bother with football forums because so many people are anti- Man Utd, but after I read through the thread, most people here are actually quite respectful, rather than the usual 'Man U are the worst team ever!' type of thing you see on other forums. lol.

Thanx! We do try to keep the foul mouthed people out of the forum and maintain a friendly atmosphere for quality chats.
We had a great member here 2 years ago. His nickname was Heath Newton. Maybe you know him from ManUtd forums?

 

[Unbiased United]

Thanx! We do try to keep the foul mouthed people out of the forum and maintain a friendly atmosphere for quality chats.
We had a great member here 2 years ago. His nickname was Heath Newton. Maybe you know him from ManUtd forums?

I don't know of him but I can guess by his name he was a BIG ManU fan! Let me guess, he disappeared after being humbled by Barca in 09? ....I might be doing the same at the end of the month!

Anyway, good job!

 

[Barcaman]

Ah, too bad. On the contrary, he stayed on for couple of months. A great guy.

 

[estranged]

Stop saying stuff like "we'll win this easily" or "we will tear united's midfield to shreds" since doing that is the perfect recipe for jinxing ourselves, united are experts at winning when they shouldn't, and with the experience of fergie especially in this same situation 2 years ago they will be very dangerous. They may not have Ronaldo as they did in 09 but now they have Chicarito and a 10000x improved Nani and Valencia....never ever underestimate an opponent, as pep just said that is how Barca wins things, by respecting opponents.

 

[Unbiased United]

Stop saying stuff like "we'll win this easily" or "we will tear united's midfield to shreds" since doing that is the perfect recipe for jinxing ourselves, united are experts at winning when they shouldn't, and with the experience of fergie especially in this same situation 2 years ago they will be very dangerous. They may not have Ronaldo as they did in 09 but now they have Chicarito and a 10000x improved Nani and Valencia....never ever underestimate an opponent, as pep just said that is how Barca wins things, by respecting opponents.

Another very good assessment. Two teams of Champions playing against each other...it should be respect all around!

 

[Messi__10]

Stop saying stuff like "we'll win this easily" or "we will tear united's midfield to shreds" since doing that is the perfect recipe for jinxing ourselves, united are experts at winning when they shouldn't, and with the experience of fergie especially in this same situation 2 years ago they will be very dangerous. They may not have Ronaldo as they did in 09 but now they have Chicarito and a 10000x improved Nani and Valencia....never ever underestimate an opponent, as pep just said that is how Barca wins things, by respecting opponents.

+1

Man utd is a very tough opponent, who always competes for prices. If I remember correctly they have lost only 3 games in CL this year! It's a different united and a different barcelona. United have lost ronaldo and tevez, but they still got a very good team!

As for barca it is great that we have alves and maybe abidal at our disposal in the finals! I hope we can win and that we can see some amazing football vamos barça!