Ian Cusack
THROUGHOUT the season Alex Ferguson and his players fumed at the mention of the squad’s mediocrity, pointing to their league and European form to disprove the notion.
Last Saturday night’s Champions League final put the debate to rest. Barcelona bossed the ball, enjoying 63% of possession.
With Park, Giggs and Carrick operating in the middle for United, Fergie opted for work ethic over craft, hoping to contain the core of the Barcelona side, Xavi, Messi and Iniesta et al.
But this in itself was almost an admission of inferiority. A team with belief doesn’t line up to neutralise opposition threat but to maximise its own threat.
The famous 1999 Man United squad had a perfect midfield balance. Beckham and Giggs provided quality delivery and a speedy attack on both flanks. Keane was the no-nonsense defensive midfielder, breaking down opposition attacks and always opting for the safe pass rather than the over elaborate. That job was left to Paul Scholes, the fulcrum of the team.
His vision, accuracy and poise in possession are what inspired Zidane to dub Scholes the greatest midfielder of his generation.
He was United’s Xavi and his retirement announcement this Tuesday triggered an incredible avalanche of tributes from many of the world's leading players.
The current line up boasts nowhere near the quality of 12 years ago. 37-year-old Giggs should just have a minor role to play at this stage of his career but instead he is the teams most creative player. Grafters like Park and Fletcher are favoured for their endeavour as opposed to creative ability.
With Carrick failing to stamp his mark on big games, United are, and have been for seasons in dire need of a midfield lynchpin.
Fabregas, Ozil, Lampard, Schnijder, Iniesta, Xavi, this is the type of player that United crave.
But the main difference between United, or any English team for that matter, and Barca transcends beyond personnel to ethos.
We all know that Barcelona play a beautiful brand of football, but beyond the aesthetics is the effectiveness of their play.
United looked at all times unsure of themselves. The player in possession was in a rush to pass it on, que the long ball and another period of shadow chasing.
Barcelona showed their trademark patience, never forcing a pass, always content to make United chase them.
The Premier League continues to be characterised by the long hopeful ball, which may do the trick against the likes of Schalke but isn’t the stuff of European champions.
Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Bojan, Fabregas - this is the calibre of player that graduates from the Barcelona academy.
From their earliest days Barca players are drilled in the arts of ball retention and quick passing, the skills which set them apart from all other teams.
With so many players coming up through the ranks there is a level of familiarity and with familiarity comes cohesion, an understanding of teammate’s movements and instincts.
These strengths are what render Barcelona capable of putting five unanswered goals past their biggest rivals Real Madrid as they did last November.
A fresh approach to how players are trained and educated about football marks the starting point of the arduous journey.
These lessons weren’t learnt after the 2009 final, time will tell if they are after the 2011 defeat.
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/DhmOYcN8oVs/post.aspx
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