How United played into the hands of Barcelona in their Champions League defeat
When the Barcelona players and their manager Pep Guardiola took turn to praise Javier Hernandez (as if they feared him) before the game, they were plotting to land their fourth Champions League glory. They knew if Hernandez played, it will restrict United to use only two midfielders in the middle of the park and this will make it easier for them to overpower and dominate the midfield.It's hard to believe Sir Alex Ferguson didn't hear the alarm bells ringing. He must have, but the incredible form of Hernandez must have forced him to keep him in the squad. An option would have been swapping Hernandez for Nani and moving Park Ji-sung inside; alternatively, Darren Fletcher could have come on, allowing Carrick to drop deeper, as Sergio Busquets plays for Barca.
When United fell behind to Pedro's goal, it would have been very difficult for Ferguson to take off Javier Hernandez, as he is one of his main goal threats, but, once Wayne Rooney restored parity, though, the change could have been made at half-time. But Ferguson didn't. United needed three in midfield, where they were being overrun.
United started slow in the second half, and sadly before they could get their leg in, they found themselves out of it. Once the Messi goal went in the 54th minute, the fate of United was sealed. They didn't look like they will have any chance of mounting a fight-back, because by then Xavi and Iniesta had taken complete control of the midfield. United ran after the ball like a late-night drunkard, but, like a kid’s possessiveness for his own toy, Barcelona kept the ball to themselves, and the crown. This is their third victory in six seasons.
Despair for United, having lost both their recent final appearances against Barca in such humiliating fashion. Rio Ferdinand fumed United should have stopped Barca, but I still think United would have lost in whatever formation they could have sent their team out, though the margin of the loss could have been lessened had they gone with three midfielders. Barcelona were so much superior to them. There’s no shame in losing to one of the greatest football teams of all times.
Barcelona showed the world how to play football, and when they do, you can only sit back and think what a beautiful game football is.
