Source: Telegraph
Champions League final 2009: Manchester United team v Barcelona Telegraph view
Rio Ferdinand remains an injury concern for Manchester United, but injury niggles aside, who would make your final line-up to take on the might of Barcelona in the Champions League final? Our team of experts have their say...
In or out? Will Berbatov or Ji-Sung Park make United's line-up to face Barcelona? Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Duncan White
United (4-3-3) Van der Sar; O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Anderson, Carrick, Giggs; Park, Ronaldo, Rooney.
I would be relatively conservative and go for the side that beat Arsenal in the second leg of the semi, minus Darren Fletcher of course. That means no Dimitar Berbatov or Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo working as the roaming centre forward. That leaves the industrious Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park to track back from the flanks and stifle Barcelona. In midfield, Ryan Giggs seems the obvious choice to replace the suspended Fletcher. This way Ferguson keeps it tight, with a side capable of electric counter-attack and with plenty of attacking options on the bench.
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Mark Ogden
United: (4-3-3) Van der Sar; O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Giggs, Anderson; Park, Ronaldo, Rooney.
Ryan Giggs looks set to get the nod ahead of Dimitar Berbatov, but the Bulgarian forward could make an impact as a substitute when gaps appear in the second-half. Ronaldo's pace is likely to be key against Barca's veteran full-back Sylvinho, who looks set to play in place of the suspended Eric Abidal.
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Henry Winter
United: Van der sar; O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Anderson, Carrick, Giggs; Rooney, Ronaldo, Park.
Ferguson could use Ronaldo's heading power through the middle to exploit Barcelona's vulnerability to crosses. Park and Rooney will tie down Barca's full-backs. Anderson will disrupt Xavi and Iniesta.
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Ian Chadband
United: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney, Park
The back five pick themselves, Anderson's energy and legs to stop Barca midfield picking holes and Giggs for the big game know-how. Park and Evra to form double shield against Leo Messi down the left. Ronaldo on right to target probable weak link in Sylvinho, but plenty of interchanging with Rooney, allowing him to maraud through the middle too.
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Jason Burt
United (4-3-3): Van der Sar; O'Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Park, Carrick, Giggs; Ronaldo, Berbatov, Rooney.
I would leave Carlos Tevez on the bench as an impact player and ask Ryan Giggs to double up on Lionel Messi on the left with Ji-Sung Park asked to provide defensive cover on right but also attack Barca's weak left flank.
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Kevin Garside
United (4-3-2-1) Van der Saar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Park, Carrick, Anderson, Rooney, Giggs, Ronaldo.
I would like to see Fergie select an attacking formation that includes Berbatov at the apex of a front three alongside Rooney on the left and Ronaldo on the right, as he did in Milan. However, I believe he will be more circumspect looking first to contain Barcelona then attack on the counter.
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Rory Smith
United (4-3-3): Van der Sar; O’Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Anderson, Carrick, Giggs; Rooney, Ronaldo, Park
Sir Alex Ferguson’s only weakness in Europe is an unnecessary tendency towards caution, especially away from home, so he is likely to prefer the reliable John O’Shea over the more exciting Rafael, while Ji-Sung Park will probably start out wide, with Ronaldo through the middle and Tevez and Berbatov on the bench, so enamoured is the Scot of his work-rate.
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John Ley
Van der Sar; O'Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Park, Rooney, Berbatov
Ferguson will go for experience though Neville will miss out, to O'Shea. Park has had an outstanding season though used sparingly, but tonight could be his stage. And Berbatov will, I believe, get the nod in Rome. Paul Scholes and Giggs have also performed well despite their advancing years but I think the latter will start from the bench.
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Jeremy Wilson
United (4-3-3): Van der Sar, O’Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Carrick, Anderson, Park; Tevez, Ronaldo, Rooney
The template was provided in the semi-finals last year when Sir Alex Ferguson picked Manchester United teams with the energy to nullify Barcelona’s attacking threat. Ji-Sung Park and Carlos Tevez played both games then and should start tonight at the expense of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. The rest of the team effectively selects itself.
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Rob Stewart
United: (4-3-3): Van der Sar; O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Anderson, Carrick, Giggs; Rooney Ronaldo, Park.
This final will be won and lost in midfield so Darren Fletcher’s absence from United’s ranks will even things up dramatically. The heart of the Olympic Stadium will be Barca’s strongest department thanks to Toure, Xavi and Iniesta and the latter pair will run rings round Carrick if they get half a chance so Anderson and Giggs must work their socks off to stifle their influence.
