Ferguson gets it wrong
Tonight Alex Ferguson could have become the greatest manager of all time. Instead, he has been left more red-faced than usual.
He bottled it. His Manchester United are the only side in the world capable of matching Barcelona's attacking prowess and fluid football, yet Fergie omits the players that enables them to do so.
He left Berbatov out of his starting line-up in favour of a central Cristiano Ronaldo and a defensive Park that will spend the entire game tracking back. He also left Paul Scholes out of his starting line-up in favour of makeshift central midfielder Ryan Giggs.
Starting with Berbatov in the central striking role with Rooney and Ronaldo out on the flanks allows the front three to switch positions fluidly with a constant danger in all three areas of attack, and causes panic in the opposition defence - with them not knowing where or who their man is on the pitch.
Starting Park on the right, with the idea for the two wide attackers to track back throughout the game, shackles Rooney.
He is a threat on the left, but only provided he has the freedom to interchange positionally with the other front two.
I understand his rigid deployment on the left for an away game in a two-legged tie, but this is the pinnacle showpiece of club football - a game he should be free to display his brilliance.
I have nothing against Park, he is a good player and effective against lesser sides, but this is one of the best Barcelona teams of all-time (securing the treble of league, domestic cup, and European cup for the first time in their illustrious history).
The decision to leave Scholes on the bench baffled me.
In order for United to match Barcelona they needed a player in the centre to pass through their midfield as Barca did to them, and Scholes is the obvious choice. He plays quick one-touch passes until he sees an opening to supply a killer ball.
Giggs is not a central midfield player despite what people may think - not in the way that Scholes is - and was too often missing, not imposing himself in the center of the pitch .
Pep Guardiola, the young pretender in his first season of management, selected his strongest attacking side and played to win regardless (to some extent) of tactics. His, and historically Barcelona's, philosophy is to play beautiful football without fear; and that is the reason Barcelona are a footballing institution loved by so many.
Prior to the game I wanted Barca to win, but I wanted to see the two best teams in the world playing in the fearless attacking manner that has made them both champions.
Instead, only one showed courage and conviction...and they are now the champions of Europe.
