Well, this is it. I would say that this is quite arguably United’s biggest game of the season. While many will argue that this weekend’s encounter with the chav’s is more urgent to us retaining the Premier League, I think that this game could very well provide an accurate barometer as to whether this current Man United team rate up there with the all-time greats. Fergie has been throwing around the word’s “Hall of Fame” with resounding frequency as of late and you know that he wouldn’t be disparaging the great history of the club by throwing those comments around. This is a serious team and tonight’s game is serious business.
I don’t think Vidic will start tonight. That seems to be the big narrative on the way in and, frankly, it’s not a bad one to have. Barcelona are in veritable free-fall as of late and they have lost some games in La Liga against some mediocre opposition. If Man United are on song, I am confident that we can carry a 2-0 or even 3-1 lead back to Old Trafford.
Look for Hargreaves to be dispatched in his newfound attacking role, although I have a feeling he will be doing some tracking back to help nullify Barcelona’s central midfield. Anderson will also be deployed in the center of the pitch and his combative nature, combined with just how difficult he is to knock off the ball, looks like it could cause Barca some serious problems. Evra will be lined up with Leo Messi so watch for a more defensive option on the left side of midfield.
Rio will be tracking Henry, mark my words. These two have tangled before on numerous occasions and I think that Henry will be looking to this game as a way of reviving his goalscoring form (the logic being familiar opposition) but I’m confident that Rio will come out on top. This Man United team is much different than the ones that Henry played against. The experience of Gary Neville will also be extremely important. Look for Silvestre to fill in for Vidic as Brown is injured. Pique should be on the bench.
I think Barca’s shaky defense, exacerbated by Puyol’s absence, will prove their undoing.
If Ronaldo wants to put that big games bullshit to rest, tonight is the night to do it. Watch for a Man of the Match performance flying out of the right hand side of midfield.
