With the score at two nil, the final whistle blew on a season that promised so much but will ultimately leave mixed feelings for fans of Manchester United. A third Premier League title in a row, the Carling Cup, and (a fairly meaningless) World Club Championship represents a splendid return for a seasons work. Unfortunately, the season was capped with an insipid performance in the biggest club game that world football has to offer, so a tinge of regret is inevitable.
So, on the grandest stage of all just what went wrong for the team in white? Serious question marks have to be asked over team selection. United went with Ryan Giggs in a central role, replacing the graft and tenacity that the suspended Darren Fletcher offers. In all likelihood had Fletcher not been shown the red card for his lunge at the Emirates, then he would have got the nod on this occasion.
The selection of Giggs can be looked upon as one of the key reasons as to why United allowed this final drift away from them. After an enterprising start, they were rocked on their heels courtesy of Eto'o's goal. For much of the remainder of the half Giggs played off Ronaldo in the support striker role. Now I think Giggs is a fine player and has been for many years, but this is the position of preference for Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez. Giggs has his positives, but he simply does not justify his place in this position ahead of the aforementioned players. He doesn't possess the speed or energy of the two. His passing, link up play and shooting are inferior, as is his ability to harass defenders (something that would have stopped the ball going from the back four to the midfield ballerinas that Barcelona have at their disposal).
The beginning of the second half saw the introduction of Tevez, but he replaced Anderson rather than Giggs. While Anderson is frustratingly inconsistent, he plays with a power and energy that is needed to challenge the Barca midfield. This left Giggs and Michael Carrick to fend for themselves against the midfield three of Barcelona. This was always going to be too much to bear and United never regained the authority and composure that they showed in the opening ten minutes of the match.
There are more questions to ask.
How did a United defence that had been so brilliant for the majority of the year, concede such elementary goals? Vidic was all too easily turned for the first, while Rio displayed a lack of concentration that blighted his first couple of years at Old Trafford for the second.
How can a team with so much experience let their heads drop so obviously after conceding the early goal?
Will Wayne Rooney ever get to play the final months of the season in the position where he is most effective?
The final question aside, we may never learn the answers. What is clear is that United lost to a brilliant team. A team spearheaded by Eto’o, Henry, and the magical Messi. But in truth United were led a merry dance by Xavi and the wonderful Iniesta. The two magicians work in tandem in midfield. They are both graceful and devastating, and appear to move up and down the field in unison, seemingly never more than ten yards apart. They are a joy to watch.
The common pre match perception was that a United team built on defence would be too strong for Barca, while a re-jigged Barca defence would prove too weak to withstand the United counter attacks. The reality was that United spent 10 minutes trying to penetrate the defence, and a further 80 minutes chasing shadows.
It’s a shame that this is how the season ended, but their fans should not forget the glory that went before this 90 minutes.
Now that the final whistle has blown, the summer silly season is upon us, with Barca’s big rivals already pouncing for one of football’s hottest properties. Barca have had their 90 minutes of glory, now their rivals will look to build towards theirs. It promises to be an interesting summer.
