The Crossroads

22. April 2008 by Zoe.

The prospect of an all-English Champions League final was tantalisingly close last year - but I believe it will finally happen in Moscow on 21 May.
Manchester United have the weapons to hurt Barcelona and reach the final.
 
Before that day arrives we have two contrasting semi-finals to contemplate when Manchester United face 2006 winners Barcelona and Liverpool and Chelsea meet in the last four for the third time.

Manchester United’s clash with Barca is absolutely mouthwatering but I believe Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have more than enough quality to get the job done.

This prediction must always come with a word of caution because Barcelona have the attacking riches to beat any side in the world when they get it right. Ronaldinho may be injured but Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o offer some fairly reasonable alternatives.

Manchester United have got everything to play for. It is a hugely exciting time for them and you can forget any notions about fatigue at this stage of the season.

Rest assured, if Sir Alex asks any of his men if they are not in the right mental or physical condition to face Barca, not many hands will shoot up.

United have match-winners all over the pitch but experience gained over the years has now given them the ability to grind out crucial results when it is not quite happening for them.

Barcelona have fantastic talent in their ranks but they are not great at the back and I believe United have the style and creativity to hurt them in the Nou Camp in the first leg then back at Old Trafford.

Ferguson says United will be positive - he never does anything else - but it won’t be gung-ho and he has a defence that has been outstanding this season.

The United boss believes the current squad to be his strongest ever. It’s hard to disagree. Cristiano Ronaldo is the leading candidate to win all the prestigious individual awards. The supporting cast - Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand - is ridiculously rich in ability.

United look unbelievably solid all over the pitch.

They also have strength in depth through midfield and in attack and have a great counter-attacking style that will serve them well on these occasions. United have players who can turn and win a game, and I expect this will see them overcome Barca.
So, while at no time suggesting this is a foregone conclusion, I expect United to reach their first Champions League final since their victory against Bayern Munich in 1999.

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