Source: Daily_Mail
Barcelona v Manchester United live
ShareIt's the grand finale of the season that the whole of Europe has been waiting for as Barcelona and Manchester United clash in the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium.[LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson's side are full of confidence after winning the league title convincingly, and will be out to avenge their 2009 final defeat to the Catalan giants in a bid to win the competition for a fourth time. Follow Sportsmail's coverage of all the drama where you can email me your thoughts on the game at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk[LNB] Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United (7.45pm) Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves (Puyol 88), Mascherano, Pique, Abidal, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Villa (Keita 86), Messi, Pedro.Subs: Oier, Bojan, Afellay, Adriano Correia, Thiago.[LNB]Goals: Pedro 27, Messi 54, Villa 69.[LNB]Man Utd: Van der Sar, Fabio Da Silva (Nani 69), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick (Scholes 76), Giggs, Park, Rooney, Hernandez.Subs: Kuszczak, Owen, Anderson,Smalling, Fletcher.[LNB]Goals: Rooney 34.[LNB]Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary) [LNB]88min: Not a tactical chance but a ceremonial one. Carlos Puyol is on for Alves and that is clearly so he can lift the cup I imagine.[LNB]86min: First sub from Barca, Seydou Keita replaces Villa who gets a great send off from his fans.[LNB]85min: Why he feels the need to time waste I don't know but Valdes does when taking a goal kick and is booked.[LNB]84min: First we have really seen on Nani, he cuts inside from the right but his left-foot strike just sneaks wide of the post. I think Valdes had that covered.[LNB]81min: Barcelona with 67 per cent of the ball, it really is hard to come up with an argument that we are not seeing one of the greatest ever club sides. They have been so dominant.[LNB]79min: Penalty shout for United, Giggs feels Villa handled the ball as he went past him in the box but the referee waves play on.[LNB]Giggs should have played to the whistle there and in fairness it looks more ball-to-hand as United lose possession.[LNB]Seconds later Valencia is booked for barging over Messi on the counter.[LNB]77min: Second change from United, Carrick is replaced by Scholes. To be fair to the former Tottenham man, I don't think any midfielder could have competed against Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets tonight.[LNB]74min: I don't think I have ever seen United been so comprehensively outplayed, they just have not had a sniff this half. Paul Scholes is getting ready to come on.[LNB]71min: Rooney goes close with a similar effort himself moments later but he can only fire over the bar.[LNB] Postage stamp accuracy: Villa curls in Barcelona's third goal[LNB]69min: GOAL! BARCELONA 3-1 Manchester United[LNB]Stunning. David Villa picks the ball up central 20-yards-out and from a standing position just curls one into the top corner. van der Sar no chance. Game over.[LNB]69min: Fabio indeed can't continue and he is replaced by Nani.[LNB]67min: And here is another! Iniesta firing through a crowd of players 25-yards-out that the Dutch stopper manages to keep hold of.[LNB]Too much: A United fan looks on in despair as Barcelona retake the lead[LNB]66min: Another top save from Van der Sar as he springs to his right to palm away Xavi's effort.[LNB]65min: Dear me, United are like poor lambs to the slaughter. Alves a couple of yards out manages to stab a shot towards goal but Fabio manages to block it on the line...before pulling up with cramp, the game goes on though.[LNB]63min: Could be game over. Messi manages to turn on the edge of the box but this time his low shot is parried away by Van der Sar. United are yet to have a shot this half I think.[LNB]62min: And there is our second, Carrick blatantly tripping Iniesta in the centre of the park. I'm afraid it's 2009 all over again for the United midfielder.[LNB]60min: Well there is our first booking and it's for a Barcelona player as Alves's sliding tackle just catches Valencia from behind.[LNB]59min: United just cannot get the ball and they are starting to get frustrated by giving away fouls. To be fair the Spanish side are showing none of their simulation antics from the semi-final against Real Madrid and we are yet to see a booking.[LNB]57min: From OptaJose:[LNB]12 - Messi has equalled Ruud van Nistelrooy's record for the most goals in a single season of the Champions League. Level[LNB] Back in front: Messi celebrates scoring Barcelona's second[LNB]54min: GOAL! BARCELONA 2-1 Manchester United[LNB]United once again pay the price for backing off. Lionel Messi attacks central 25-yards out, taking a couple of touches before curling the ball around the defence and a stunned Van der Sar. Sloppy defending but it is a stunning finish.[LNB]52min: Let-off. Alves is through on goal in a similar fashion to Pedro's opener, but his shot is blocked by Van der Sar before Messi's rebound is deflected for a corner.[LNB]50min: It really is the two banks of four, as Iniesta marches forward unchallenged. But for once his through pass is mis-placed as it goes out for a goal kick.[LNB]47min: It's all Barca as they win a corner following Xavi's deflected strike. United sitting deep in a manner I don't think I have ever seen from them.[LNB]Second-half: Barca get us going again.[LNB] Chasing shadows: United spent much of the first-half heavily defending from Barcelona attacks[LNB]20.45: Both sides back out, but those fans in the executive seats right in front of the TV camera are not...a great projection to fans watching around the world. Hope those prawn sandwiches taste fantastic, chaps.[LNB]20.43: Gary Neville believes United are going to have to 'suffer' this half.[LNB]I would actually agree with him in truth, they are far from beaten though.[LNB]20.40: I love InfostradaLive, they always provide a gem of a stat from somewhere:[LNB]Two #UCL finals were 1-1 at the half (Juve v Ajax in 96 and #MUFC v #CFC in 08). Both finished 1-1 after 90 mins and both went to penalties.[LNB]20.37: Barcelona have had 66 per cent of the ball. Are United learning their lessons?[LNB]The Spanish side have just found it so easy to find a gap between the United midfield and defence.[LNB]20.35: From OptaJose:[LNB]79 - Xavi made 79 passes in the first half, 58 more than any Manchester United player. Maestro[LNB]20.33: Barcelona will be wondering just how they are not ahead but credit to United, despite being thoroughly outplayed they are level by taking the only chance they had. [LNB]Half-time: Barcelona 1-1 Manchester United[LNB]43min: Wow that was close! Barca carve United up again and Villa's low ball across goal just evades a sliding Messi a couple of yards out.[LNB] Relief: Rooney's equaliser came at a time United were strongly on the back foot[LNB]42min: That was nearly magic! Xavi plays a short ball to Busquets inside the box and his first-time pass behind the wall just evades Pedro. If that had gone in we would have been looking at a memorable Wembley goal.[LNB]41min: United are feeling the pressure as Antonio Valencia gives away a free-kick 25-yards-out. Xavi stands over.[LNB]38min: Still Barcelona are the more attacking but that goal has shaken the Spanish side. They clearly wasn't expecting to be pegged back like that. Neither was I or the millions of people around the world watching to be fair.[LNB]36min: From OptaJoe:[LNB]2006 - The last team to come from behind to win a Champions League final were Barcelona, when they defeated Arsenal 2-1 in 2006. Rescue.[LNB] Back in it: Rooney equalises for United after a one-two with Giggs[LNB]34min: GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED[LNB]Where on earth has this come from?! It's a Barcelonaesque goal as Wayne Rooney plays a one-two with Giggs before placing a shot first time beyond the reach of Valdes. My humble pie is in the oven ready to be eaten at half-time.[LNB]32min: Hard to see where United can attack. It's mostly been hopeful long balls right now and Rooney is making about as much impact as he did at last year's World Cup.[LNB]30min: United just have no answer. They continue to give the ball away and the likes of Alves just continue to bomb forward to create Barcelona chances.[LNB] Opener: Pedro fires Barcelona into the lead[LNB]27min: GOAL! BARCELONA 1-0 Manchester United[LNB]And there it is. United back-off and back-off and eventually Xavi slips through Pedro who places a shot into van der Sar's bottom corner. Easy.[LNB]25min: This has become so one-sided, Ferguson is out into his technical area already...with a very worried look on his face, and it's justified to be honest.[LNB]Put it this way I will be amazed if Barcelona don't score tonight.[LNB]22min: What a tackle! Like a snowplough, Barca storm through United's half but as Messi looks to pull the trigger inside the box, Nemanja Vidic slides across to get the ball and eventually clear.[LNB]21min: And again from Villa inside the box this time, but Van der Sar is equal to it as he dives across goal to hold on to the ball.[LNB]20min: Snap-shot from Villa on the edge of the box just flies wide of the post. After a bright start, United are now on the back-foot, no doubt about it.[LNB]18min: Only one team attacking now. Messi gets the ball 25-yards-out but United just can't stop him running through and only a slightly below-par through ball gives them the opportunity to clear.[LNB] Catch me if you can: David Villa (right) made a bright start for Barcelona[LNB]16min: Big chance! After one of those passing moves, Xavi crosses to the near post where Pedro beats Ferdinand to the ball but fires wide. He can do better than that.[LNB]14min: Here we go, Barcelona are just starting to put their typical passing moves together in United's half and you feel they have more to come. But Edwin van der Sar has not had anything to do so far.[LNB]11min: Valdes and Pique have a slight mix-up at the back which the former just manages to clear. But at the other end, David Villa first has a shot blocked before he then wins a corner off a Rio Ferdinand tackle.[LNB]8min: Slight worry for Barca, Victor Valdes comes racing to the edge of the box and he just beats Rooney to an aerial ball over the top to punch out for a throw-in. Good keeping.[LNB]Mascherano caught out there, not for the last time I would think.[LNB]7min: Would say United are just edging this. They are pressurising Barcelona on every ball and the Spanish side do not look used to this. Can Fergie's side keep this up all game though?[LNB] Marked man: Manchester United's Ryan Giggs (left) and Michael Carrick (right) close down Barcelona's Lionel Messi[LNB]5min: Wembley pitch looks good by the way, no action to speak of as such but the sides look even.[LNB]3min: No sign of Barcelona taking the game to United yet. Michael Carrick's plan is to literally knock the heads off Barca's midfield, as his attempted long ball cannons off Sergio Busquets' face. He is back-up after gathering his thoughts.[LNB]1min: Dani Alves is already getting booed by the United fans, as is Mascherano. No doubt linked to their simulation acts in the previous round (and the latter's Liverpool links).[LNB]Kick-off: Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez get us underway...[LNB]19.43: Players are out and a wonderful picture of both sets of fans displaying their team's colours at each end...along with that stunning Champions League music.[LNB]Only the World Cup can better the atmosphere here.[LNB] Bolt from the blue: Sprinter Usain Bolt on the pitch for the pre-match entertainment[LNB]19.41: Players are standing in the tunnel, lots of bouncing and hopping about. You can tell they are up for it.[LNB]19.39: Hardly a red seat to be seen inside the ground now. Looking at the minimum cost of tickets for this year's final I think UEFA's finances will look a little healthier after this.[LNB]Such a shame, Joe Public has been priced out of the game...or had to take a loan out, yes they are that expensive.[LNB]19.37: My final pre-match reading for you is from Sportsmail's Jamie Redknapp who questions whether a Wembley win is beyond Sir Alex Ferguson.[LNB]19.33: Record signing Dimitar Berbatov is left out of the Manchester United squad for tonight's Champions League final against Barcelona.[LNB]The ?30.75million striker's omission cast serious doubt over his Old Trafford future despite him having finished joint-top of the Barclays Premier League scoring charts.[LNB]There are no surprises in the United starting XI, with Javier Hernandez partnering Wayne Rooney in attack and Fabio starting at right-back, with substitute roles only for Darren Fletcher and Nani.[LNB]Barca captain Carles Puyol only made the bench for the favourites, who instead took a chance on fellow defender Eric Abidal, with both having missed much of 2011 through injury and illness, respectively.[LNB] Shouldn't you be at the cricket? Andrew Flintoff takes his place amongst the crowd[LNB]19.30: Full squads and referee:[LNB]Barcelona v Man UtdBarcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Abidal, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Villa, Messi, Pedro. Subs: Oier, Puyol, Bojan, Keita, Afellay, Adriano Correia, Thiago.Man Utd: Van der Sar, Fabio Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Hernandez. Subs: Kuszczak, Owen, Anderson, Smalling, Nani, Scholes, Fletcher.Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)[LNB]19.28: The players are having a warm-up on the pitch, one of them Javier Hernandez looks as cool as a cucumber.[LNB]What an amazing season he has had, and what a story if he could end a fantastic season personally by lifting the Champions League trophy. Be honest how many of you knew who he actually was this time last year?[LNB]Check out Ian Ladyman's piece on how Hernandez snr reacted when United pounced for his son last summer.[LNB]19.23: To be fair to these two teams, it's not very often they serve up a dud. They have clashed a number of times over the years but for me I will never forget the 3-3 draw they shared at the Nou Camp back in the group stages of this competition in 1998. United went on to win the tournament that season too you may recall.[LNB]19.18: Time to wet the appetite even more as Sportsmail's own Martin Samuel writes on how the 'perfect contest' can deliver.[LNB] Omens: Manchester United fans tempt fate[LNB]19.15: Half-an-hour before kick-off and I have for you an interesting read from Liverpool's Jamie Carragher. Time for Wayne Rooney to join the greats he says.[LNB]A gauntlet thrown down there if ever there was one.[LNB]19.12: Just having a little nostalgic look back over this season's competition. Is this the most one-sided knock-out stage ever? Real Madrid walked all over Tottenham in the quarter-finals, while Barcelona did the same to Shakhtar Donestsk, as well as Arsenal in the previous round.[LNB]As for the semi-finals...Schalke had their keeper Manuel Neuer to thank that they did not lose 22-1 on aggregate against Manchester United, while 'el Clasico' will be remembered for the simulation and nastiness rather than the (little) football we actually saw.[LNB]A shame because Messi was at his magic best.[LNB]19.08: I have already touched on Mascherano being a weak link at the back for Barca, but what about his partner in crime Gerard Pique?[LNB]Honestly, I didn't expect him to become as good a player he has become, but he really has kicked on since leaving Old Trafford. and will prove vital for Barca in defence.[LNB] Club football's ultimate prize: The Champions League trophy inside Wembley Stadium[LNB]19.05: Now I do like a feel good story and here is a brilliant one from Eric Abidal. Only back in March he had to have a tumour removed from his liver and to think he is now starting a Champions League final shows the remarkable recovery he has made. I salute the man.[LNB]19.02: Just over 45 minutes until kick-off and Wembley is filling up nicely. It's been a slightly windy and overcast day in the capital but a few rays of sunshine are just starting to sneak through.[LNB]18.58: United could be chasing shadows tonight according to OptaJean:[LNB]71% - Barcelona have averaged 71% possession under Pep Guardiola in the Champions League (since 2008). Style. [LNB]18.55: Another interesting read for you from Sportsmail's Michael Walker on the 'English soul' at the heart of Barcelona.[LNB]18.50: And the Barca subs:[LNB]Oier Puyol Bojan Keita Affellay Adriano Thiago[LNB] Danger men: Barcelona have arguably the world's best player in Messi (front) but Mascherano (back) will be out of position at centre-back[LNB]18.48: Forget Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi, the key-man for United tonight is Javier Mascherano at centre-back. He is an accident waiting to happen and he must be targeted.[LNB]18.45: Barcelona starting XI:[LNB]Valdes; Alves Mascherano Pique Abidal; Xavi Busquets Iniesta; Pedro Messi Villa.[LNB] Bored out of my skull: Milan keeper Dida looks on in the 2003 Champions League final[LNB]18.42: Going back to my intro let's hope this final is better than the one played in England.[LNB]That was at Manchester United's ground, Old Trafford in 2003 between Juventus and AC Milan. Unless I am mistaken, I think that may have been the only occasion where NOTHING happened in 120 minutes of football. It certainly wasn't worth the wait for Milan's shoot-out victory. I can't see the two attack minded sides tonight repeating that though...I hope.[LNB]18.37: OptaJoe backing the Berbatov exclusion:[LNB]1134 - Dimitar Berbatov has failed to score in his last 1134 minutes of action in the Champions League. Snubbed. [LNB]18.35: Not too shocked at that. No top scorer Dimitar Berbatov in the squad but Michael Owen I still feel can prove a handy player to come off the bench....but then I think he is still good enough for England and I have been trying to avoid the men in white coats ever since.[LNB]He still says he has a big goal in him too though, what a story if it was tonight he got it.[LNB] Keeping Bobby company: Manchester United fans look for divine intervention acts to help their team tonight[LNB]18.30: That is now confirmed and here is the subs bench:[LNB]Subs - Kuszczak, Smalling, Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson, Nani, Owen[LNB]18.27: Not confirmed yet, but the word coming out is this is the United starting XI:[LNB]Van der Sar; Fabio, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Park; Rooney, Hernandez. [LNB]18.23: It wouldn't be me if I didn't fire some stats at you so to kick us off this evening, here is one from OptaJoe:[LNB]Manchester United have lost just one of their last 34 matches on English soil in the Champions League. Homely. [LNB]18.21: Some more pre-match reading for you from Sportsmail's own Des Kelly on how Ryan Giggs can shape his own destiny on this final. Definitely worth your time, it's a cracking read.[LNB]18.16: So Barcelona, the greatest club side in the entire history of the galaxy? Sportsmail's Jeff Powell may just convince you otherwise...[LNB] Spot the United fan: Barcelona fans in full support outside Wembley Stadium[LNB]18.12: It's a relatively young Barcelona squad but let's take a second to think about some of the oldies in the Manchester United team.[LNB]This is probably Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes's (if selected) last European finals but spare a thought for Edwin van der Sar.[LNB]This is the last game of his career and either way it's not going to be one he will forget in a hurry. Still it can't be worse than how Zinedine Zidane ended his - when he was sent-off in a World Cup final...you may remember it.[LNB]18.09: All week Sir Alex Ferguson has been having sleepless nights (probably) about who to pick for this final, but I bet it's Michael Carrick that is causing the biggest dilemma.[LNB]He is playing well of late but he got taken to the cleaners by Barcelona's midfield in the 2009 final and they have only got better since.[LNB]If he plays tonight and it happens again, Fergie I doubt will ever forgive himself.[LNB]18.04: Another feature for you. This one is from Ronald Koeman, he knows a thing or two about scoring a Champions League winning goal at Wembley...and for Barcelona too.[LNB]18.00: And before you think I'm being harsh. The old Wembley opened with the 'White Horse final,' the new one opened with a Chelsea v Manchester United final that was boring beyond belief. Didier Drogba's goal will be more remembered for putting everyone out their misery rather than being the winning strike.[LNB] Taking over: Barcelona fans cheer for their team in central London in the run up to the game[LNB]17.57: This final is important for another reason though, and I'm talking about Wembley Stadium in general.[LNB]The new version just has not had a classic game under it yet. Yes we have had the two England v Croatia games but international qualifiers shouldn't be its highlights.[LNB]Following some average at best FA Cup finals and a very bad reputation concerning the playing surface, I hope that we can at least have a classic/memorable final to talk about long into the future to help this stadium build some history.[LNB]17.53: Well that's my opinion anyway. Either way, Sportsmail's Matt Lawton has revealed the secrets behind the ambush which helped Barcelona snatch Sir Alex Ferguson's third Champions League win from under his nose in 2009.[LNB]17.49: Ah two years ago, where these two sides clashed in the same final in Rome. United had arguably the world's best player in Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona were only just starting to become the force they are now.[LNB]Much has been said about Fergie learning lessons etc, but I fail to see how a game two years ago can have that much relevance, especially in how the two teams have changed since.[LNB] Thumbs up all round: Two Barcelona fans pose with a person inside a Lionel Messi costume outside Wembley Stadium[LNB]17.44: One interesting line I have seen today is from Steve McClaren, who believes that United will win if they have learned their lessons from two years ago...basically that Lionel Messi is all that he is cracked up to be.[LNB]17.40: Plenty of stuff to get stuck into, but if you have one eye on the cricket then click here to follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Test match between England v Sri Lanka with our very own Tom Bellwood.[LNB]17.35: So who would you back? Barcelona are favourites but not overwhelming ones. I think if Manchester United play to their best tonight they will get chances but I have yet to see a side really cause Barcelona any threat this season in the Champions League.[LNB]17.30: It's often built up to be the jewel in the club football crown but the Champions League final doesn't always deliver.[LNB]For every Istanbul 2005, we get Manchester 2003 (more on those later) but you just get a feeling that tonight WE WILL see a final that can finally live up to its big name billing.[LNB]Barcelona v Manchester United, It can't possibly fail! Team news on the way as soon as we hear anything.[LNB] Stars in his eyes: Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (centre) will lead the attack against Barcelona[LNB] Oh what a night! United hit the West End as Giggs and co relax before Barca final 'Wembley brings fantastic memories': Barcelona return to scene of famous triumph The ?110m final: Barca or United will pocket windfall if they win at WembleyAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Steve McClaren, Lionel Messi, Didier Drogba, Michael Carrick, Ronald Koeman, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Edwin Van Der Sar, Zinedine Zidane, Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, Nani, Xavi, Javier Mascherano, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Jamie Carragher, Wayne Rooney, Martin Samuel, Jamie Redknapp, Darren Fletcher, Fabio Da Silva, Victor Valdes, David Villa, Nemanja Vidic Places: Barcelona, Manchester, Istanbul, Rome, Milan, Liverpool, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, Croatia, Hungary, Europe
