Manchester United vs Barcelona

The script for Wembley could not have been better with England’s most successful club and the best club in the world currently square off against each other tonight to determine who reigns supreme at the grandest stage of all : The Champions League. Such has been its importance that only FIFA World Cup can match or maybe better the pomp, grandeur and importance of Europe’s elite competition. Managers have become the most sought after overnight and managerial careers of some have been terminated due to their success and failure at Champions League. While many like Real Madrid have swallowed a bitter pill of an acrimonious exit, there is no doubt in the minds of all football fans across the globe, whichever club they support that Manchester United and Barcelona deserve their chance out at Wembley.

The match would not only be a battle for supremacy between the two talented sides. It would also be a brilliant and witty battle between two great strategists, Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola. While Pep edge out Alex in terms of their footballing careers, Alex Ferguson surely knows the ins and outs of Europe’s most elite competition. Pep has installed a fearless attitude among the Barca team and their passing game is a treat to watch. On the other hand, Sir Alex Ferguson is a master of mind games and has the uncanny ability to rally a team together.

There is no doubt as to which team is better. Barcelona with star studded players and a certain Lionel Messi are probably a part of the best team to have ever graced the game of football. With Xavi and Iniesta in the form of their life and their defence looking solid with the likes of Busquets and Puyol, they have all the ammunitions up their Arsenal to win the Champions League tonight.

Manchester United on the other hand have had an easier path to the final and have showed their vulnerability in the league.But they have ground out results when it mattered and tonight they have the players in the likes of Rooner, Park and others who can deliver. Their defence is solidly marshaled by Vidic and Rio and it would be a classic battle between them and the likes of Messi and Villa.

The two names which comes to my mind as match winners are Lionel Messi and Javier Hernandes. El Chicharito has the ability to outperform the lad overwhelmingly told as one of the best players in the world.

Players to watch out for:

• Manchester United: Vidic, Hernandez and Park.
• Barcelona: Messi, Xavi and Puyol.

It’s hard to predict the outcome of such a game. However it’s similarly hard to bet against this Barcelona side. Although relative home advantage would be with the united side, I firmly believe it would be Barcelona who would make it their third Champions League title in the space of 7 years.

Tags: Barcelona, Champions League, Champions League Final, Football, Manchester United, Preview, Wembley