The Question - 2011 Uefa Champions League Final

It’s hard to pick who will win tonight’s game. It will be a difficult game where the first mistake could decide the game. The players will be aware of this and as a result it will be a very edgy encounter. But the excitement for a match has never been this high, not even in the great Arsenal days did anticipation of one game reach these levels.

Like Andrew Cole said this morning this game like many others will be decided largely by the midfield battle, i.e. which of the two teams will be able to posses the ball better.

It really isn’t advisable for United to sit back and defend. The slick possession game of Barca will destroy you. United’s first or first couple of possessions will say a lot about how the game will go. In 2009 in Rome Man United started the better, more forceful perhaps through their confidence as defending champions. But once United went behind their possession of the ball was poor. Carrick in particular was guilty of too many overhit long balls and all in all United were overrun in midfield.

Funnily enough it is that midfield which is the preferred midfield today through their performances so far this season. And they have to set a tone.

United have matured immensely into a team that can keep the ball very well. They can play it across the back-four into Carrick and the movements of Giggs and Rooney can provide options. The fullbacks can then move up and get involved, collect the ball and United can play triangles of their own. United really have to try and do this at least for the first 20 minutes.

It will be a chess match, but a marker has to be set early. United are good enough to win the match through good play and they need to show Barca that they can and are willing to compete. No team since Greece at Euro 2004 has won a major final through defensive play.

The midfield will be crucial. The presence and energy of Rooney gives United someone who will harry Busquets. Arsenal once tried this tactic with Pires marking Makelele, it worked for while, till the last minute actually, until Drogba scored with his shin... Anyway same situation here today, Rooney will have to do this job, get in amongst Barca’s midfield and turn the situation into attack, which he is fully capable.

The other key facet is the area in front of the Man United defence. The hole perhaps. This is where Barca like to play. United will have to cut out this space. This has been United’s weakness at times. Even Ramsey’s winner for Arsenal against United (in the league) recently came from a direct loop into the centre of the attacking area. Carrick is crucial again if he starts. If Giggs starts its possibly better to play Carrick. He holds and doesn’t get too carried away with chasing the ball like Fletcher.

Barca are clear favourites though, even if they go behind you would still favour them to comeback. It’s just very hard to resist their passing for a whole 90 minutes, something which United could not do anyway because of the manager himself, the venue and the fans.

Once again Rooney will be influential, has been possibly the most prominent player in Europe over the past two months. He was outstanding in the quarter and semi finals and even though Carrick and Giggs were impressive and rightfully got plaudits it was Rooney’s superhuman effort that linked the space between midfield to attack. Rooney also got involved in the defensive effort, tracking back and at times stopping the danger before it got to Carrick and Giggs.

He is the ultimate key for United. The question is the tactical importance of this new floating role he has. Rooney will be there as the spoiler both on the offensive front and getting amongst that Barca midfield triangle. As of yet there is no perfect way to beat Barca but that triangle (Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta) in the middle of the park is most dangerous.

Rooney is also helped by Javier Hernandez. Hernandez is easy to underestimate. He doesn’t seem to be the build of the prototype number 9, the devastating forward like Eto’o or Fernando Torres, the type of player some were saying should be United signing at the start of the season, and the guy that would take United to them next level.

Hernandez is special though. Though technically he is still not at the elite level his heart is amazing. And he has shown he can use his body well to shield and wriggle into positions. He also has an amazing leap. His attitude and appetite makes up for everything he may lack. Chicharito has the hunger to lead the line which, despite the football’s evolution, is still essential.

It will also be interesting to watch Valencia, maybe in the form of his life, whether he can take advantage of Barca’s fullback areas. That width and pace Valencia provides can be crucial.