Though really, it’s quite a silly exercise. Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Ferguson himself – these are just three of the top names in world football who have spectacularly failed to achieve this goal. And if they can’t figure out a way to beat Barcelona, then how can a bunch of latté sipping journalists?
That is why before this tactical offering is outlined a disclaimer should be made. United will not win without some luck. Barcelona are the world’s best team, and for anyone to beat them, be it Real, United, AC Milan, anyone, some degree of luck is required. Be it the ball hitting the bar instead of going in, a bad refereeing decision or Leo Messi suffering an injury.
Ferguson’s side have been brilliant this season defensively when Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have been fit and in the first team. They provide a mixture of strength, height and an uncanny ability to anticipate danger. With Patrice Evra and Rafael flanking them, United’s strength this season has been in defence.
Some suggest you need to close Barcelona down to win. Well, yes, you need to close them down, but where? United have shown against Arsenal in the Premier League that they are very good at sitting deep against teams who rely on possession, picking them off in the final third and counter attacking ruthlessly.
Barcelona are quite a bit better than Arsenal of course, but the principle is the same. Teams who rely on possession can pass the ball around you in midfield, no matter how hard you press. The most sensible solution is to draw them into your half and wait for them to try a killer pass. This is where United need luck. All the defensive nous in the world comes to nothing if Xavi’s pass is inch perfect, and it often is. United need to be at their best to anticipate and sweep up these through balls. And to do so, they need to have the more defensive minded of their central midfielders, probably Michael Carrick, playing as an auxiliary centre back, allowing Rio Ferdinand to move out towards the right back position to support Rafael. The reason for this is because United need Antonio Valencia to stay in an advanced position to counter attack effectively. Ji-Sung Park will track Dani Alves, meaning that with five primary defensive players when on the backfoot, United have a backline which will deny Barcelona space in the key area where they look to play through balls.
When United do win the ball, they need to utilise three players. Ryan Giggs, Antonio Valencia and Javier Hernandez. Giggs is the best passer in the team, and getting the ball to him immediately will be vital, as he can find Valencia in space on the right wing when Barcelona’s left back is advanced. United play a natural wide counter attacking game which is ideal against Barcelona. With Park tracking back, having Wayne Rooney withdraw into a wide left position as a starting point will stretch Barcelona, and create the space on the right hand side for Valencia to take advantage of.
United are very good at quick direct passing, and this is the way they will win, if at all. Valencia drifting wide and looking to find Hernandez and Rooney in space, whose movement is usually first class. Barcelona tend to play a system which means that in defensive positions they have three primary defenders, Pique, Puyol and Busquets. Park ,who tends to be in the right place at the right time in the big games, could be the perfect player for United tomorrow. By tracking Alves, he can prevent Barcelona creating the space in which Messi usually thrives, and going forward, he can be the spare attacker who can run to wherever the space opens up. And what United have proved this season is that even if this isn’t a vintage side, they are ruthless. And they’ll need to be tomorrow if they are to win the Champions League again.
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