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Manchester United v Barcelona – Champions League Preview

The Champions of the Barclays Premier League take on the Champions of La Liga in one of the most anticipated finals for some time. Can Barcelona triumph again against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, just like they did in the 2008-2009 final in Rome, or can the Red Devils get their own back on Pep Guardiola’s side and claim the silverware for a fourth time?

The 56th Champions League final will of course be staged on our very own Wembley turf, in front of a packed audience of an estimated 86,000 plus millons more watching on satellites around the World. The last time Wembley hosted a Champions League final was way back in 1992, at the now demolished Old Wembley. Barcelona won on that occasion after beating Sampdoria 1-0 thanks to a goal from Ronald Koeman, so Barcelona do have a resound history when it comes to playing a major final in London. Manchester United though are on home soil in their native England and they also have successive history at Wembley, by winning numerous Charity Shields, FA Cups and Carling Cups, but the main question is who will prevail in this hotly awaited final will Barcelona conquer again or can Manchester United drown the hopes of the tournament favourites…

The Teams
Manchester United
– The Champions of England are ready and waiting for the big kick off this evening against Barcelona, a side which thrived on success in 2008 after beating English rivals Chelsea on penalties, but were also a side which wrenched in heartache and pain in Rome against Barcelona just two years ago. Alex Ferguson’s side however will be playing in their third European final in four years but yet again they face a World Class Barcelona side, who are filled with talented players such as Lionel Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and David Villa. It will be one of the toughest tests in United’s history, but deep down even fans that support their footballing rivals cannot rule them out of prevailing in the 2011 final.

Understandably Manchester United have had the more easier route to the final, topping Group C with 14 points then dispatching last year’s Ligue 1 runners up Marseille, then beating an off form Chelsea side before beating Schalke 04 to reach the prestigious final. The Red Devils will be full on high level confidence after lifting the Premier League trophy last weekend, and players like Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney have tasted the atmosphere before. For one player in particular who has had a season to remember, Javier Hernandez or known by most as Chicharito will be playing in his first major final in a Manchester United shirt. A player, who has notched up a total of 20 goals in all competitions this season, is surely a player Barcelona will be feared of. For goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar after signing from Fulham six years ago, tonight’s Champions League final will be his last ever competitive game in a Manchester United shirt, as the 6ft5 goalkeeper has called time on his football career. Overall come later today, Manchester United could well claim their fourth Champions League trophy and what better place to do it than at Wembley Stadium.

Manchester United celebrate with the Premier League trophy after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Blackpool at Old Trafford on May 22, 2011 in Manchester, England. Manchester United celebrate a record 19th league championship.

Barcelona – The La Liga Champions have been an instrumental side to watch this season, in every tournament which they have played in. The Spanish side brings an exciting vast of football to fans all around the World, and for many neutral fans a Barcelona win would be a splendid result. Pep Guardiola’s side couldn’t have asked for a more difficult task though, Manchester United are one of the most successful teams in the whole of Europe, and can posses a dangerous weapon from any position on the field. Barcelona though like to keep the ball and stray it around the field for fun, if this happens just like in 2009 the Catalans will most likely claim the silverware. With midfielders such as Iniesta and Xavi, two gifted players of there calibre could pass any side off the park with ease. This game could come down to Barcelona’s passing game and attacking flare, but Manchester United’s work ethic is second to none. Can Messi and the boys from Spain prevail in London?

Talking of the little Argentine, Messi is currently noted as the best player in World football. Barcelona’s number 10 has been lethal this season especially in La Liga where he has scored an impressive 31 goals, only Cristiano Ronaldo topped that with an even more impressive feat of 41 goals ten more than Messi himself. Lionel Messi though has scored eleven goals in European cup competitions this season, including an excellent solo goal against Real Madrid in the Semi Finals. Apart from the Real Madrid task, Barca has found their path to the final just that little bit more difficult than tomorrow night’s opponents. Like Manchester United, the La Liga winners were able to top their group with 14 points, while they then edged Arsenal in a thrilling Round of 16 tie, they then demolished Shakthar Donestk, before beating Real Madrid over two legs in two raged up affairs. Barcelona are the favourites, but can they live up to their expectations and conquer Europe yet again?

FC Barcelona players celebrate with the La Liga trophy after the La Liga match between Barcelona and Deportivo La Coruna at Camp Nou Stadium on May 15, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain.

Key Players
Manchester United –
Antonio Valencia in my view will be the driving force for the Barclays Premier League Champions, since returning to first team action it seems Valencia hasn’t been away from football, in the league match against Chelsea he found himself up against Ashley Cole, with Valencia prevailing immensely against England’s first choice left-back after giving him a torrid time down his favoured right wing. With Carlos Puyol rumoured to be starting at left-back, a natural centre back out of position could well turn into a nightmare, Valencia loves attacking his marker for fun and has overcome his tasks in most games he has played. If Manchester United are able to consistently get the ball to Antonio Valencia, who will be willing to sprint past Barcelona’s first choice left-back at every given attempt then Manchester United could well score from that source of direction. You can have your eyes firmly set on Wayne Rooney or Javier Hernandez as your danger men, but watch out for Antonio Valencia he could well tear apart Barcelona’s dreams of a Champions League final win tomorrow evening.

Antonio Valencia Antonio Valencia of Manchester United speaks to a team mate during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United at Ewood park on May 14, 2011 in Blackburn, England.

Barcelona – Lionel Messi the most exciting, gifted and talented football player of this modern era, has been a true sensation to football for the past season. His goalscoring record and his entire skill overall, has been overwhelming and has got every football fan talking ever since the start of the 2010-2011 season. Messi can give Barcelona plenty of options, he can drift in from the wide right or can start just behind a main striker, or even start as the central forward with Pedro and David Villa most likely to start out wide in a front three. Messi was the vital asset to the Catalans success in beating Spanish rivals Real Madrid in the semi-finals, but this is a different stage altogether. He scored two years ago when Barcelona defeated Manchester United in Rome, and the odds on him doing that all over again favour him dramatically. There isn’t a better player to watch in the world right now than Lionel Messi, Vidic and Ferdinand will need to play the game of their lives to stop this magician from scoring.

Lionel Messi Lionel Messi of Barcelona looks on during the La Liga match between Espanyol and Barcelona at Cornella - El Prat stadium on December 18, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona won the match 1-5.

Champions League Final
Teams – Manchester United & FC Barcelona
Venue – Wembley
Kick Off – 19.45
Referee – Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

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