United on for Cup Win Number Four

Manchester United will be going for their fourth Champions League win against the worst possible opponents at Wembley.

United have just sealed the league with a good win over Blackpool at Old Trafford and now their focus quickly switches to the current Spanish champions. Things off the field haven’t been ideal for the side but Sir Alex Ferguson has enough experience to make sure his team have their eyes on the prize.

This will be the very last match in a Manchester United jersey for Dutch goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar. Van Der Sar has been a terrific servant to the club since he joined six years ago. He turned himself into one of the best goalkeepers in Europe and there is no one better to have between the sticks if the match goes into extra time and possible penalties.

Rafael should start at right back with Patrice Evra over on the other side. Rafael is going to be crucial with his forward attacking runs if he does get the chance to break from the back. His defensive nature is going to be tested to the absolute limit with the likes of Pedro and David Villa drifting in from the left.

The central defensive pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic will start in the middle of the side. This is a tried and tested partnership that can be relied upon in the most intense of pressure situations. Both players also offer a big threat going forward when United have set pieces.

There is little doubt that Antonio Valencia will start down the right or left of the team as his football performances in recent weeks have been stunning. The question is who partners him on the opposite flank. Both Park Ji-Sung and Nani are in contention for a place in the side. Park may get the nod as he’ll offer extra protection to the full back he is playing in front of.

Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs are likely to play in the middle of the midfield. Carrick will play the role of sitting on front of the back for to break up the play and look for runs from the expansive Barcelona midfield. A role he has performed in the Premier League. Giggs will have a free license to get forward and spray the ball around to feed the strikers and wingers.

Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez is one of the best attacking partnerships in world football at the moment. Hernandez will play at the very top of the team to chase everything down. If Barca have a lot of the ball then the Mexican will be primed to run in behind after one good pass. Rooney can drop off and form a five man midfield. He will play the same role in the United side that Messi will do in the Barca team.

United need not fear their opponents because they have a very good chance of winning this game. The side they are bound to select is in form and will be chomping at the bit to get some revenge.