UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Manchester United prepare for Champions League final against Barcelona

Record ID: 336043

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Manchester United prepare for Champions League final against Barcelona
  • Date: 25th May 2011
  • Summary: CARRINGTON, NEAR MANCHESTER, UK (MAY 24, 2011) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT MAN UTD PLAYERS TRAINING MID SHOT OF EVRA AND HERNANDES CU OF ROONEY (SOUNDBITE) (Enlglish) SIR ALEX FERGUSON SPEAKING : "I think they have improved, I think they have more maturity within their team now, because wining that European cup was a big step forward for them as a team. And the second thing o
  • Embargoed: 9th June 2011 13:00
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  • Location: United Kingdom, United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAA1AJTK3DK9XGJ1AEO8M313WG0
  • Story Text: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is set to stick with a trusted winning formula for the Champions League final rather than change his side to counter the threat of Barcelona.
    Ferguson has been considering whether to play an extra midfielder against Pep Guardiola's side at Wembley on Saturday. But the Scot, seeking his third Champions League win in 12 years, is unlikely to flood his midfield and should stick with the 4-4-2 system which has brought a record 19th English title.
    That would mean Mexico international Javier Hernandez, who has scored 20 goals in his debut season at Old Trafford, starting in attack alongside Wayne Rooney. It would spell more Champions League disappointment for Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher who started his first match since March 1 last Sunday after recovering from a virus.
    Fletcher missed the 2009 Champions League final when Barcelona beat United 2-0 through suspension and he was an unused substitute for the 2008 final in Moscow when Ferguson's side defeated Chelsea on penalties.
    "It's not easy leaving players out because you are dealing with the human side of the game and players who have worked ever so hard all season for the team," Ferguson told a news conference on Tuesday (May 24). .
    "It's a squad game for us this year and it can't be easy. Unfortunately, there's one person that has to tell them and it's me.
    "It's not an easy job but it has to be done. We have to win the game and they understand that. I pick a team for the right reasons and I pick the subs for the right reasons.
    Ferguson said it was important to focus on what was best for United. "It's not just about Barcelona, it's about us too, what's best for us and the best way of winning the match," he said.
    "It will be down to how we operate the attacking part. It's not easy picking a team with the players I've got because they've all contributed and that doesn't make it easy for me."
    United goalkeeper Van Der Sar, due to play his last game for Manchester United in the final, said : " It is just a combination over the season, you start in July in pre-season and you just hope you are going to do well in the League and the Champions League and the F.A Cup. Certain things fall off and other things you are able to keep on going, luckily we have won the League and all that is left is the Champions League now so all our resource and energy is going to go into that game ".
    Defender Nemanja Vidic added : "It does not matter where we play it will be special to win it, you are talking about the final of the champions league, all the statistics and everything that happened in the past does not count, it is just one game and we are going there and we have to perform. It will be big pressure on the players, we know it is important to win the trophy and I just hope that we will be calm and give our best to win".
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