MANCHESTER UNITED v BARCELONA: Head to Head
Last updated at 15:52 28 April 2008
Manchester United must beat Barcelona at Old Trafford on Tuesday night to
guarantee reaching their third European Cup final and first for nine years.
Here, we assess how the two clubs match up:
EUROPEAN PEDIGREE
United's record in Europe is probably the only slight disappointment of Sir
Alex Ferguson's reign. Aside from their incredible last-gasp victory over Bayern
Munich in the 1999 final, the Red Devils have mostly failed to impress.
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The boss: United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
However,
this is their second successive semi-final and they are unbeaten in the
competition this term. United were the first English side to win Europe's
premier competition when they beat Benfica 4-1 in 1968.
They were among the
favourites 10 years previously before eight players were killed in the Munich
air disaster. The 1991 Cup Winners' Cup, and European Super Cup of the same
year, are United's only other European trophies.
Barcelona are looking for their second Champions League title in three seasons
after coming from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 in 2006. Surprisingly for one of
Europe's most prestigious clubs, their only previous victory in the competition
came in 1992, when they beat Sampdoria.
They have lost in the final three times
- the most recent of which was a 4-0 thrashing by AC Milan in 1994. Barca have
had more success in the defunct Cup Winners' Cup, winning the trophy a record
four times, although they were beaten 2-1 by United in the 1991 final. The
Catalans have also won the European Super Cup twice.
FORM
Saturday's fiery 2-1 defeat at Chelsea was United's third match without a win,
their worst run since the opening month of the season.
The Barclays Premier
League champions know another domestic slip-up could see them relinquish their
crown after they looked certain to wrap up the title with games to spare.
In
Europe, United have gone unbeaten all season, and a score draw at Old Trafford
and an away goals exit would be a bitter pill to swallow.
Barcelona's form has been far from impressive in La Liga this season and their
title challenge officially ended at the weekend when Real Madrid went 14 points
clear of them with four games remaining. Barca, who lost 2-0 at Deportivo La
Coruna on Saturday, have won only one of their last 11 domestic league and cup
games and speculation about the future of their star names abounds.
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Warning: Eto'o
Ronaldinho
seems certain to leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season while Samuel Eto'o
has also hinted he will leave if Barca fail to win trophies. Their progress in
the Champions League has been the one shining light, although their victories
over Celtic and Schalke were not entirely convincing.
PLAYERS
Both squads are littered with star names but United seem to have the edge in
togetherness and fighting spirit. Goals have been at a premium for the opponents
of Barca and United throughout their European runs, although United will be
hoping Nemanja Vidic is fit after the defender missed the first leg and then
suffered a facial injury against Chelsea.
Wayne Rooney is also an injury doubt
and the striker's absence would be a huge blow to Ferguson's men. Cristiano
Ronaldo, who was only a substitute at Stamford Bridge, has vowed to score after
his Nou Camp penalty miss. Barca also have goals in their side, with Lionel
Messi and wonderkid Bojan Krkic a clear threat.
Out-of-favour Ronaldinho is
ruled out of the tie through injury but Barcelona have captain Carles Puyol back
from suspension.
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