United strike duo are the best Sir Alex has ever had
Ex-England defender thinks Ferguson’s men have been written off too quickly
MANCHESTER United’s chances of winning the final are mixed, because Barcelona are the best team in Europe, and may be about to prove that.
However, it’s at Wembley and there are a few things pulling it back towards them like a magnet.
Some people have been too critical of this team, but United have grown and improved throughout the season.
Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez are a sparkling forward partnership and as good as anything they have ever had. I like Hernandez’s movement – he’s very clever and a very good foil for Rooney.
In central defence Vidic and Ferdinand are strong. Maybe Ferdinand is not quite as sprightly as he once was but he’s very assured and very polished in his play. Evra’s as good as any left-back they’ve ever had, and so is Edwin van der Sar in goal.
United will have to find a solution in midfield because Barca boss the ball. So you can well imagine the likes of Park having to put a real shift in. I think it will be the more unfamiliar players we see do well on this occasion.
Getting Barcelona in a one-off game is probably the only way to beat them. You don’t want to play them over two legs. If there’s no real rhythm to the game, as often happens in a final, United may just have enough to win it.
Martin Keown is an ambassador for grassroots youth football competition the Tesco Cup, for more information go to www.tesco.com/football