The best clubs of England and Spain meet again – Manchester United (ManU) vs Barcelona (Barca) in the 2011 UEFA Champions League Finals at Wembley on May 28, 2011! It is fluid offence vs effective defense – every football fans dream final. It is Lionel Messi vs Wayne Rooney, two of the world’s best football players today.

The two met at the same finals in 2009, which Barcelona won 2-0 at Rome. Two years after, they met again. No more Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez for the Red Devils. No more Eto’o for the Catalans. But basically, they have the same coaches and the same winning mentality.

The road to Wembley wasn’t easy for both. Barcelona had to dispose the resurgent Real Madrid and their proud manager Jose Mourinho. As we all know, Mourinho, when he was with Inter in 2010, brought down Barca in the semifinals and eventually, won the trophy. This time around, Pep Guardiola and his boys exacted revenge not only in Europe, but in Spain as well, where Mourinho’s Real Madrid was in far second place. Barcelona also waylaid Arsenal and Shakhtar in brutal fashion to reach this far.

For Manchester United, it was rather easy for them to defeat Schalke with 6-1 on aggregate. But it was Chelsea that was considered as a solid opposition. Nevertheless, they overcame the Blues.

Manchester United vs Barcelona Preview

Messi is unstoppable. He already has 11 goals this campaign, and it is not difficult for him to surpass Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s record of 12 goals for a season. If you add Pedro and Villa to the front, then Iniesta and Xavi crisscrossing the middle and the penalty box, all hell will break loose for Barca. If you see their fluid and accurate ball handling, you’d be amazed. If you’re not a fan, you will be converted. Barca has the most exciting football in Europe today. And they have kept their tradition and style for many years now.

27 goals this season is the most for any team in this 2011 UEFA Champions League. Pep Guardiola, despite being new to coaching, had handled Barca well. He is not intimidated even against the best clubs of Europe.

Sir Alex Ferguson is a wonder. At 69, he hinted no sign of weariness or retirement. His 24 years at Manchester United’s helm is the most glorious era of the team. He won the Champion’s League twice and the domestic title twelve times. His brilliance is evident despite player changes and superstar exits at the many points of the team’s history.

Wayne Rooney may be the team’s superstar player, but he has not seen consistency recently. He only made 11 goals this season as compared to Berbatov’s 20 and Hernandez’ 13. But Rooney is a powerful striker who has the ability to explode at any given time. You cannot also discount the sneaks and strikes of Chicharito Hernandez, and the striking accuracy of Dmitar Berbatov. The trio form a potent and dangerous force on front.

Nemanja Vidic is the heart of United defense. The Serbian is now considered to be one of the best defenders in the world. Along with Rio Ferdinand, plus the world’s best goalkeeper in Van Der Sar, they form a rock solid defense for the Red Devils. It is something that the Barca offense has to deal with. Effective defense can spoil their fluidity.

Results Prediction

In 2009, I predicted a close victory for Manchester United. I was wrong, as Messi and Eto’ o demolished United in Rome. But for 2011, I had my heart set that whoever crushes Mourinho’s team will be Champion. Barca did that at the Semis. They will win at Wembley 2-1 at end of regulation.

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