Why Man Utd will prevail against Barca
The Barcelona & Manchester United Dream Team
With a Champions League final between the two best sides in the world just hours away,Sulmaan Ahmad picks a best XI made up of players from both sides...
Goalkeeper
Edwin van der Sar
Both first-choice goalkeepers are often open to criticism,but one of them broke a lot more records than the other this season,and that's what it's all about. Van der Sar has the experience on Valdes,and it shows. Ben Foster could be taking this slot a year from now.
Defence
Dani Alves
Arguably the world's best in his position - and suspended for the Rome final - Alves has incredible attacking instinct and creativity,while also being an energetic and enthusiastic defender. Right-back is seen as Manchester United's soft spot,though Rafael da Silva may have something to say about that in a few years' time.
Rio Ferdinand
The Rolls Royce of defenders,Rio has established himself as one of the world's finest in United's last three title-winning seasons. He has won countless duels with big-name strikers in crunch games and makes it all look so easy. Has also emerged as an understated but formidable leader of the world champions,and surely a future captain.
Nemanja Vidic
If anyone rivals Rio for the world's best defender award,it's probably his partner,Vidic. The centre-back spots at Camp Nou are seen as one of the only weaknesses in the side,while they are United's strongest point. Vidic is the perfect partner for Rio and has been the better performer this season; full of energy,towering,intimidating and at times,unbeatable.
Patrice Evra
Not to sound like a broken record,but Evra also holds legitimate claim to being the world's best in his position (by now,you're beginning to realise why these two sides are hailed as the best). Like Alves,he is a natural born attacker,and it shows,even if his actual final ball contributions are limited. His defending has improved markedly since he went to Old Trafford,though his form has dipped in the second half of this season.
Midfield
Xavi
Andrea Pirlo's star has faded since the 2007 Champions League final,and Xavi has succeeded him as the best playmaker in the world,as demonstrated at Euro 2008. He has been the driving force behind Barcelona's form this season,and often,keeping him quiet has been the key to subduing the Blaugrana.
Michael Carrick
Owen Hargreaves,but for his injuries,probably would have been in this team and Anderson,given more playing time and prominence,could be as well. Scholes' limitations are beginning to show in big games,but Carrick is a player slap bang in the middle of his prime and going about his job formidably to little public acclaim. Great discipline,passing,and the odd goal for the scrapbook as well.
Andres Iniesta
The star of the semi-finals,after a performance that promised so much but lacked that final touch - until he buried a last-minute equaliser to win the tie against Chelsea. It was stardom he deserved,for he is a phenomenally skilful player with tremendous versatility and professionalism.
Attack
Lionel Messi
We've perhaps used the 'best in the world' line a bit too much already,haven't we? Isn't it starting to lose meaning? No? OK. Leo Messi will win the Ballon d'Or if Barcelona win this game. His goal return for the season has been outstanding; add that to his already unstoppable running with the ball and boundless energy,and you have a player who can single-handedly win any match,at any time - but he has a point to prove and a demon to exorcise against English sides...
Cristiano Ronaldo
We've perhaps used the 'best in the world' line a bit too much already,haven't we? Isn't it starting to lose meaning? No? OK. Cristiano Ronaldo will win the Ballon d'Or if Manchester United win this game. He's still scoring freely - and exceptionally - in more big games than ever. His all-round attacking threat is like no other possessed by any other player in the game. He finally seems undisputedly at ease in Manchester and good enough to get the better of anyone on his day.
Wayne Rooney
Maybe not in the goals as much as Thierry Henry or Samuel Eto'o over in Catalunya,but his task has arguably been a harder one and he has executed it with incredible professionalism and effectiveness. Rooney has spent so much of the season on the wing,with his all-round passing and moving improving several fold and his ruthlessness in front of goal making him much more of a threat than he used to be.
Van der Sar
Dani Alves Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Xavi Carrick Iniesta
Messi Ronaldo Rooney
So,despite Barcelona being regarded as the team of all-stars,it is Man United who dominate this team,primarily due to their strength in defence,with seven players included to Barcelona's four.
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