Champions League Final: United XI To Face Barca

...The players who will make history...

So, the time is nearly among us. This has been probably the longest week of my life - unable to concentrate at work, encapsulating myself with every ounce of pre-match build-up I could find and reading the f**k out of every expert preview and patronising guide on 'how United can beat Barca'. But I'm not interested in that - because quite simply, we'll beat Barca if we don't allow them time on the ball and in turn minimise the impact of their attacking players. Play with assertion and confidence like we did against Chelsea in the Champions League, again against them in the title decider, or even against Schalke over both legs in the Semi's, and we will be Champions of Europe. Ultimately, if we play as a unit we can do it. And below are the chosen ones who can lead us to the promised land once again...

Goal

Van der Sar

Age: 40

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 9

An absolute no brainer. One of the greatest 'keepers of all time, certainly the most coveted, plays his last ever game as a footballer. Calm, cool, clever and true class; many thought we had signed him too late when he came to United as a 34 year old and as a veteran with 15 years at the top behind him. But arguably we caught him at his peak. And it has truly been an honour.

Defence

Fabio Da Silva

Age: 20

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 6

Champions League Goals: 0

The biggest risk selection for a number of reasons: the level of astute awareness that'll need to be held by the full backs (they do have to face Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro and Villa after all) and the overall pace Barcelona will want to set the game at will be a dreaded prospect to most. To say our full-backs will need to be on top of their game therefore is an understatement. And to say that 20 year old Fabio, who has lived in the shadows of his brother since the twins arrived to Old Trafford a year and a half ago, and who has arguably found himself out of position on the right, will need to step up, rise to the occasion and ignore all the expected pressure placed on his inexperienced shoulders is equally obvious. If he is selected, which you feel he will be given recent line-ups, then it is because the boss believes he is good enough to play in the biggest game of all. And if Sir Alex believes in you, there is no option but to deliver.

Ferdinand and Vidic

Age: 32 and 29

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 6 and 9

Champions League Goal between them: 0

On their day, one of the greatest defencive partnerships the game has ever seen. The perfect blend of class and graft; artistry and industry; calm, cool, collected and 'never say die', the pair have it all and rarely fail in filling you with confidence when either clearing the ball out of harms way or making that last ditch, essential tackle. As is naturally the case, frailties have appeared in their game as the years of physical trauma take their cause. With Ferdinand it's the injuries that have kept him out of 45 (out of 76) league appearances in the last two seasons, and with Vida it is the sometimes worrying lack of pace and over-reliance on his brute force and power that have either got him into trouble this season, or should have! But as I said, on their day they are the best, and they're days are far from over.

Evra

Age: 30

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 9

Champions League Goals: 0

Not his brightest season at United, especially on the back of such an accomplished campaign the season before. But his pace, vision, integrity and brilliant ability to link up with his winger - whether it be Park, Giggs or most effectively Nani - he always seems to perform and add an extra, vital attacking option when we need him.

Midfield

Valencia

Age: 25

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 6

Champions League Goals: 1

If someone told me six months ago that Valencia would recover from that double leg break and return as one of our most important players in the title run-in and on the road to Wembley, I would never have believed it. Such has been his frighteningly vital impact and rapid return to form, his inclusion on the right was never in doubt - affectively reducing the performances of Nani (who I would argue is still United's most important player) to the bench. His pace on that flank (which is now back to its penetrative best), ability to protect his full-back, as well as his confidence to go out the defence will prove one of our strongest routes to goal and arguably our best attacking threat.

Carrick

Age: 29

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 10

Champions League Goals: 0

Another who's inclusion in a Champions League final line-up may appear odd - surely Anderson, Scholes, Park and Fletcher are better equipped in the centre of our midfield? Well Anderson, as we learnt from Rome two years ago, is still not ready for the pressure and intensity of such a game; Scholes too may struggle with the pace; Park's pace and dogged nature sees him placed on the left, and Fletcher, who's exclusion was unlucky (and to our detriment) two years ago, may just miss out due to his recent injury. So that leaves Carrick to occupy arguably the most important and tricky area of the field. As a defensive, holding midfield, he must guide the ball out of defence, diffusing the inevitable Messi/Iniesta/Xavi infused pressure, while progressing the attacking flow of our game - linking with, and making sure he has the awareness to supply almost every player on the pitching. But to describe his inclusion as simply one out of default is insulting. Because of Fletcher's exclusion and the lack of impact made by others, he has made this position his own and thoroughly deserves to start.

Giggs

Age: 37

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 7

Champions League Goals: 1

A player engrossed with superlatives. His impact and style has stood the test of time, and like his boss, he has nurtured, mentored and adapted to many a team-mate. At 37 years of age, and one game away from winning his 34th major honour at United, this is arguably his best ever season. Instead of frailing, he has developed the maturity and unrivalled experience to influence a game of this stature with every pass, darting run or a deft touch he produces. Simply unbelievable.

Ryan Giggs: the boy who played football like a man, is now truly the man who plays football like a boy.

Park

Age: 30

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 8

Champions League Goals: 1

His dedication to the cause, energy levels and ability to create space will deservedly give Park his second start in this fixture in three years. I'm a massive advocate of Nani and his improving form and impact at United has led him to be one of our most influential players. But in a game like this where you have to think about the opposition and how we can work as a unit to defeat them, the strengths of the individual are not as important. Nani is class and can create chances, however so can Valencia, Giggs and Park. The way our front two line-up as well, one playing deeper than the other, someone like Park - who provides multiple options from wide positions as well as inside - complements his commitment to defending brilliantly.

Strikers

Hernandez and Rooney

Age: 22 and 25

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 8 and 8

Champions League Goals between them: 7

This can be the front-two to make the difference and beat Barcelona with their goals, movement and astute awareness of one another. Berbatov's exclusion, after winning the Premier League golden boot, is nothing but credit to Hernandez and his rise up the ranks to now be considered United's biggest attacking threat, and the player who Barca fear the most. But to ignore Rooney's impact to Chico's rise to brilliance is naive. For the Mexican has been able to thrive with confidence in an attacking position while Rooney plays deep and controls the area between midfield and attack (similar to Carrick's role between defence and midfield). The two complement each other perfectly therefore, and where Barca's front three - Pedro, Messi and Villa - are out and out attack, the movement and connection between our front two could throw Barca's defence off; unable to deal with Chico's pace, Rooney's deep positioning, vision and passing, complemented by the creativity and threat of our accomplished midfield.







We can win. Not because we have magicians like those that glitter the Barca line-up, but because we graft; because we don't leave ourselves exposed with one dimensional football; and above all, because we have the belief, unity, strength and inert desire to win that is essential for any Champions. We have already overcome adversity this season - not once being considered good enough to retain the domestic title yet winning it with a nine point margin - and again, we find ourselves unfancied and disregarded. A strange position for the English Champions to find themselves in, but a desired one nonetheless. We will feed off the hatred and ignorance of others to simply concentrate on what we do best: play to win. We have the depth, we have the experience and we know what is our stake. So bet against us if you will, but whether we win or lose, one thing is for certain - as we take centre stage at Wembley, just as Best, Charlton and Busby did 42 years ago, we will rise to the occasion and give it our all. And maybe, just maybe, that will be enough.

BELIEVE