Lets start with United’s starting line-up. The back four were fine. My issue was in the midfield, Why was Rooney on the left? And why was Ronaldo playing as a lone striker. It should have been Ronaldo on the right, Giggs on the left, and Rooney up top.  Scholes in the center with Anderson and Carrick as a holding mid.

I think Sir Alex got caught up in the hype surrounding Park becoming the first Korean footballer to contest a Champions League final. Yes Park is in form, but like I’ve said before Park doesn’t have the presence to define a game, there are players that can take charge and change the outcome of a game and Park isn’t that player.

Next are the tactics. Barcelona did exactly what they were supposed to, they put the ball on the ground and kept possession. That way they took away two of United’s strengths, height and power. And United played right into it, they insisted on playing long ball. Making their make shift defensive line-up to look world class.

It will be interesting to see how United deal with the loss. Will Ronaldo and Tevez stay? Who will United sign if they leave? Can they make it to the final again while winning a record 19th premier league title? Make sure to check back all summer for the latest news.

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United could make history by being the first team to successfully defend their Champions League title. On paper, United are clearly favorites. Rio confirmed he will play and it seems Fletcher will be the only player to miss out on the grand finale. While Barca will be missing Abidal, Marquez, Alves, and Milito. While Henry and Iniesta remain doubtful.

United will have to attack and abuse Barca’s weak and vulnerable back four. While being able to contain Messi, Eto’o and Henry. Ferdinand and Vidic will hold Eto’o and Evra can keep up with Messi, but Henry may cause a problem for O’Shea.

While at the opposite end, Ronaldo will do what he wants with Silvinho. Rooney is already in Pique’s head, after the ex-United defender claimed “When he (Rooney) is focused he is simply unstoppable”

United are going into Rome with a “we will win” attitude, while Barca think “we might win” and that will mark the difference.

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In the statement released by Europe‘s governing body it stated “All three players are therefore suspended for one UEFA club competition match and will serve their suspensions when Barcelona FC meet Manchester United FC in the UEFA Champions League final in Rome on 27 May”

Honestly, I am more than happy to give up Fletcher for both Abidal and Daniel Alves. Both of them are much more important to Barca than Fletcher is to United.

If Fletcher doesn’t play we have Scholes, Anderson, Giggs, even Carrick who could play in the middle. While Barca would rather drop Yaya Toure, their best holding midfielder, to play center back and play with the absolutely horrid Sergio Busquets in the center of midfield.

Pep didn’t have enough confidence in Caceres to play him a single minute and now he may be forced to start in the final. While the very weak Sylvinho will most likely play left back for Abidal.

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Although Barcelona squeezed by Chelsea, they paid a high price. Both Daniel Alves and Abidal will miss the final due to bookings. While Marquez and Henry remain doubtful due to injuries. Those are four crucial players, all largely responsible for Barca’s success this season.

It should be an exciting final, especially because if United score early they wont play with 11 defenders.

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After two years at Old Trafford the Argentineans loan is set to expire this summer and until now United have not made a move to sign the 25-year-old striker permanently. Tevez has established himself in the Premier League and in Europe, having scored 19 goals in his first season with United which helped the club to the Premier League and Champions League double.

It would truly sadden me to see him leave, but he deserves better.

“I have many offers, not only from Spain,” he said on Fox Sports Radio Del Plata.
“I need to see which club I can go to and what can be done.”

“We must not only consider the money, I also have to ensure my family feel comfortable, especially my daughter.”
“So I have a lot to think about.”

“Even if you score three of four goals, you do not play in another game. There are many very good players but I need to play,” he added.
“I have trained everyday and never said anything against my team-mates or anyone but it is true that there are other options for next season.”

“There are many players and they all need to play but I have not lost my place (because of my performances).”
“I have not played in important matches. The ‘clasico’ against Chelsea I did not play. Those are the games that I like to play in.”

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It’s a great draw for United as they are positioned on the weaker side of the play-off bracket. Not to say Porto is rubbish but I believe they are the weakest of the 8 teams remaining in the competition, followed by Villarreal and Arsenal.

Liverpool and Chelsea are both very strong at the moment, while Bayern and Barcelona are the best outside of England. United got the perfect draw and thankfully United will only play one of those four in the final at the Stadio Olimpico.

On paper, there is no reason why United should not reach the final. Porto failed to win against Athletico Madrid and only got by on away-goals. We all know Arsenal’s story and Villarreal is a team that plays good collective-team football but aren’t real contenders for Europe’s top prize.

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“I am thankful to be able to return home,” said Pique. “It is a dream to return home.
“When I was 17 I took the decision to leave because when you are younger your first dream is to play football and the other to play for Barca.”
“Today it has happened, I am proud and very happy. I would love to retire here.”

I still think it was a mistake to let Pique go! He is going to be a very solid defender, not only for Barca but for the Spanish national team.

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I think Pique has plenty of potential and in 4 years he will be worth 5 times that amount. I understand his frustration and his decision. The Manchester United defense has been more than impressive and trying to break into regular rotation is almost impossible. He was just at the wrong club at the wrong time.

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We didn’t see a whole lot of Pique, but I think the kid has potential. If he were considering a move anywhere other than Barcelona, I would tell him to be patient, defenders hit their prime at a later age. But Barcelona is one of the best teams in the world, and considering Pique’s current situation at United, he would be stupid not to go.

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Sir Alex has only gone as far as saying “Along with Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney, we may need experience in one forward position, somebody to take over from Ryan Giggs eventually.”  A few of the names being tossed around are: Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, and Dean Ashton.

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