25.05.2009 14:25
United strikeforce
Edgar Fornós
Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney are the two main figures in Manchester United’s attack. Marking them is going to be one of the key missions if Barça want to win their third European Cup.
One thing Manchester United know how to do is score goals, and lots of them. Sir Alex
Ferguson’s side tops the Premier League in the goals for column with 68. Cristiano Ronaldo
has a personal tally of 18, with only Nicolas Anelka on 19 ahead of him in the League.
Speed in attack…
One of Manchester United’s great strengths in attack is speed. A
good example of this was the third they got against Arsenal in the second-leg of their Champions
League semi-final, scored at the end of a very fast counterattack involving Park, Rooney and
Cristiano Ronaldo. Between them Ronaldo and Rooney have racked up 38 strikes in the League and
Champions League.
…and mobility
Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to play in the same position as he did against Arsenal and Barça
will have to look out for attacks down the wings as United are specialists in this area.
Missing players
One of Europe’s best attacks will be taking on one of its best defences in Rome, but
Barça are missing key players as Márquez, Abidal, Alves and Milito are all out due to injury or
suspension. Touré and Piqué will probably be playing in the centre of the defence, but there is
more uncertainty at full-back where Puyol, Sylvinho, Cáceres and even Keita are vying for position.