Barcelona Ready for MU

"United are the defending champions, an unbelievable team, and have a coach with lots of experience. I expect them to sit back and challenge on the counterattack. We will attack, I expect a nice game – they have some good players and are a great team, but so are we."

- Pep Guardiola

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola expects his side and United to serve up an entertaining Champions League final in Rome.

The May 27 showpiece makes for a mouth-watering prospect as the current holders face the bookies' favourites to lift this season's title, and Guardiola expects United to be wary of his side's attacking resources.

"United are the defending champions, an unbelievable team, and have a coach with lots of experience," he told his post-match press conference. "I expect them to sit back and challenge on the counterattack, although I have to watch our semi-final with them last season and their recent games.

"We will attack, I expect a nice game – they have some good players and are a great team, but so are we. We're going to try to win and maybe we'll deserve to get the trophy."

Guardiola's preparations for Rome must factor in the absence of Daniel Alves and Eric Abidal through suspension, while Rafael Marquez misses out through injury, but he is unperturbed.

"We will have different players in the final, but we will play the same," he pledged. "(We will) play the ball, move the ball and try to score goals."

Tickets for Rome

After beating Arsenal 4-1 on aggregate in a thrilling semi-final, United will play FC Barcelona in the 2009 UEFA Champions League final at Rome's Olympic Stadium on 27 May - kick-off 20:45 local time (19:45 BST).

We will receive an allocation of approximately 19,500 tickets, priced at £181.82, £127.27, £81.82 and £63.64.

Executive Seat Holders can apply for tickets online from 08:00 on Wednesday 6 May through to 17:00 on Sunday 10 May. If successful, tickets will be allocated proportionate to your facilities and all applicants will then be required to input travel report details online. No Executive holders will be able to apply after this deadline.

Season Ticket Holders who have attended all domestic and European home cup games this season can also make an application online from 08:00 on Wednesday 6 May through to 08:00 on Tuesday 12 May. It is anticipated that we will be heavily oversubscribed and a ballot will be processed giving priority to Season Ticket Holders who have applied for 6 Champions League away games. Remaining tickets will be allocated to Season Ticket holders on a descending basis (i.e. 5 Champs Lge away applications etc). Please note should a supporter with a high number credits apply along with another supporter who has a fewer number of credits, the higher credited supporter will be downgraded to that of the lesser number.

Ticket payments will be processed from 12 May – 14 May and ballot results will be available from 08:00 on Friday 15 May. It is imperative that successful supporters complete all sections of the travel report which is required for UEFA. This report must be completed in full with a strict deadline of 08:00 on Sunday 17 May.

Successful applicants will be able to collect their tickets from Ticketing & Membership Services from Monday 18th May (see below opening times). Please note that tickets will only be available for collection on production of photographic Identification. We will allow supporters to collect tickets on behalf of the booking, i.e. a booking of 4 tickets can be collected by 1 of the supporters of that booking provided all travel details are correct and they have photographic ID. Multiple bookings cannot be collected.

Opening times for ticket collections
Monday 18 May, 08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday 19 May, 08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday 20 May, 08:00 - 22:00
Thursday 21 May, 08:00 - 20:00
Friday 22 May, 08:00 - 20:00
Saturday 23 May, 09:00 -17:00
Monday 25 May, 08:00 - 20:00
Tuesday 26 May, 08:00 - 20:00

Arrangements can be made for tickets to be posted out special delivery at a cost of £15 per ticket (this cost includes compensation cover).

Tickets for the game will be access cards which will be linked to the details that are provided in the travel report. The in-design tickets will be similar to the Season Ticket access cards and will contain a chip containing the first name, surname, D.O.B and Nationality of the supporter. Those same details (as supplied on your Season Ticket and travel report) will then be stored at the stadium’s turnstiles. According to UEFA, entry to the stadium will only be permitted on production of the ticket and a valid identity document with photograph. Supporters are

therefore advised to have their passport with them at the game as proof of identity. It is imperative that supporters quote the details of the travelling supporter’s passport when completing the travel report.

AIG Direct Travel Insurance have discounted travel insurance for supporters travelling to Rome. Click here for more information.

Supporters are also advised to read the important travel information provided by the foreign office prior to travelling to Italy.

Report by Stephen Powell

Rooney on fire

"This is the time of the season when you want to really be at your best and enjoy your football and I'm doing that at the moment. We're in a great position in the league and we're so close to making history [by retaining the Champions League]. We set out at the start of the season to retain both trophies and hopefully we can do that."

- Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney feels the season run-in is bringing out the best in him.

The 23-year-old has been in fine form in recent weeks despite finding himself in a different role down the left wing.

With a Champions League final to look forward to in Rome later this month and a third consecutive title within grasp, Rooney says it's vital he and his team-mates keep up the momemtum.

"This is the time of the season when you want to really be at your best and enjoy your football and I'm doing that at the moment," he said.

"We're in a great position in the league and we're so close to making history [by retaining the Champions League].

"We set out at the start of the season to retain both trophies and hopefully we can do that.

"The final will be a tough game [against Barcelona], but we just have to concentrate on ourselves and the way we play.

"If we do that and play the way we know we can then I'm sure we'll be okay."

UEFA to rule on Fletch

UEFA's Control and Disciplinary body will meet on Monday to discuss Darren Fletcher's Champions League semi-final red card against Arsenal.

United have appealed to European football's governing body to overturn the dismissal - which rules Fletcher out of the final against Barcelona - because television replays show that the midfielder actually played the ball, rather than Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas in conceding a late penalty.

Earlier on Friday, Sir Alex Ferguson had confirmed the Reds' compassionate letter to UEFA, although he admitted that he held out little hope of the decision being overturned.

"I’m not optimistic at all, but we have to do it for Darren," he told his pre-Manchester City press conference. "It’s in fairness to him and sometimes, when everything’s addressed, you never know. But I don’t think it’ll be overturned.

"I honestly believe the referee made the right decision at the time because from his angle and from where I was, I thought it was a penalty. You see the replays and it’s obvious that Darren has managed to get his leg round and flick the ball away from Fabregas, which was incredible."

Sir Alex feels Fletcher was perhaps the victim of his own diligence at the Emirates Stadium, but is proud of the way the 25-year-old handled the heartbreak of missing a second successive Champions League final.

"Darren’s so honest that where an old stager might just have said (to Fabregas): ‘Go and score,’ he still was determined enough to try and do his job," said the manager. "He’s not an over-emotional boy and he accepts it. It’s disappointing for him obviously, but he takes great credit for the way he’s handled it all."

Today and Tommorrow

It's Only One United 1 8ELIEVE 4 UNITED


From Emirates to Roma


MU Tour de Asia ...

Reds primed and ready

Michael Carrick hopes to carry United's exceptional Champions League form into Sunday's Manchester derby and edge a step closer to title glory.

The Reds need seven points from four league games to secure the crown. Having brushed aside Arsene Wenger's men to secure a Champions League final spot in Rome, Carrick says the squad are now fully focused on the title.

"We're well aware there's a bit of league business to sort out before we go to Rome and we've got some big games coming up," he said. "When the big games come round you want to perform to your best, this is the time when it counts in terms of trophies. Hopefully we play like we did against Arsenal."

May could be an historic month, with a third consecutive Barclays Premier League title - and 18th title overall - is within grasp, while Sir Alex's men remain on course to become the first club to defend the Champions League.

"What we achieved last season will give us a lot of confidence ahead of this year's finale," he declared. "Winning the Champions League was incredible and to repeat it would be amazing. Doing that means we'd create history which is something this club does well. Hopefully we can be part of that."

The final everyone wanted

MUTV's David Stowell looks ahead to a mouth-watering Champions League final against Barcelona...

While early goals at the Emirates settled United’s Champions League destiny, one very late goal at Stamford Bridge allowed Barcelona to squeeze past Chelsea. Both games had controversy, both had great strikes and ultimately, both favourites will be in Rome. I, for one, can’t wait to see it.

We outmuscled and outplayed Arsene Wenger’s side creating enough chances to win several matches, while Barcelona had one shot on target all night and scored.

Andreas Iniesta has had a stunning season at the Nou Camp and his winning goal wasn’t bad was it? Former United defender Gerard Pique also had a hand in knocking out the Blues, quite literally, seeming to palm away Nicolas Anelka’s through ball. That was just one of the decisions to send Messers Ballack, Drogba and Terry over the edge.

It's no surprise that in today’s media coverage, the word ‘respect’ has been rearing its innocent head after last night's heated scenes in London. Chelsea’s stars will no doubt end up in hot water for their reactions at the final whistle, their reaction contrasting heavily with the way Darren Fletcher dealt with his own personal disappointment at missing out on the final.

Chelsea should have had a penalty or two, but in our game, Arsenal shouldn’t have. Fletch, just like Drogba et al, had his dream of playing in a final cruelly snatched away from him. But did he rant, rave or chase the referee? No, he was graceful even in the most unjust situation. The final between two of football’s aristocratic teams will be played without one of the game’s true gentlemen.

Before the heated exchanges got underway at Chelsea, United’s Academy side ended their season on a high, prospering 3-2 over Blackburn. The Under-18s side had a more U16s look to it with many of next season’s new kids on the block getting a chance to impress before the summer break. Nicky Ajose scored a blockbuster winner after sumptuous approach play by Ravel Morrison.

As I cover the games for MUTV, I'd like to say well done to the lads for an entertaining season and two more trophies in the cabinet (The Milk Cup and the prestigious but awkwardly-titled Torneo Calcio Memorial Claudio Sassi-Sassuolo). The young Reds go to Switzerland in a fortnight for the youth team equivalent of the Champions League – The Blue Stars Tournament – and look out for our coverage of all the best bits of their games there.

The long term future looks very good for United with fresh-faced, skilful youngsters aplenty, but the short-term is dominated by thoughts of a third Premier League title on the bounce and a trip to Rome. Sadly, our Scottish terrier Fletch won’t be in the United team at the Stadio Olimpico, but the rest of the cast is frighteningly good: Ronaldo, Messi, Rooney, Eto’o, Berbatov, Henry, Iniesta, Giggs and those are just a few of the attackers in the mix.

Passports at the ready, it’s the Hollywood final the fans wanted - and no doubt the one the sponsors wanted. Now all we have to do is go and win it!

The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

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Scholes : Tough games to come

United may be four games from the finish line and possible title glory - but all the remaining league fixtures have their problems, according to Paul Scholes.

The midfielder helped the Reds to negotiate what has sometimes been a difficult fixture, Middlesbrough away, last weekend but even with that potential banana skin out of the way, Scholes remains focused on the task.

"We're in a great position but we've still got tough games to come," Scholes told MUTV after winning at the Riverside.

"At home we've got City - they beat us last year - and Arsenal, which is always difficult. We've also got two tough away games - Wigan's a tough place to go, they're a good attacking team, and Hull are going to be fighting for their lives. So we're not quite there yet."

Eighty-seven points will top the maximum total that Liverpool can achieve; United reached the eighty-point mark by seeing off Middlesbrough with a much-changed side, Scholes being one of seven players who started after not doing so against Arsenal.

"We've got a big squad, we've been saying that all season and it's really been tested," said Scholes. "Thankfully it came through another test at Middlesbrough with the right result.

"Other clubs have got big squads as well but I think our quality in depth is better than anybody else's."

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Pique awaits Reds reunion

Gerard Pique is relishing a reunion with United after his Barcelona side booked a berth in this season's Champions League final.

The 22-year-old defender joined United from Barca in 2004, only to return to the Nou Camp at the end of last season.

Pique's departure came shortly after he had missed out on a place in the Reds' playing squad in for the Champions League final in Moscow but, with Eric Abidal and Daniel Alves both suspended for this year's showpiece, and Rafael Marquez likely to miss the final through injury, it seems certain Pique will play a part in Rome.

"It is against Manchester United and it will be special for me because I had four years which were really good for me there," Pique told Sky Sports.

"Maybe I didn't play a lot but it was really good to get experience because I was very young. It will be very special. It means a lot, but more because we are in the final."

The Catalans, beaten by United in last year's semi-final, booked a re-match with the Reds by virtue of Andres Iniesta's injury-time leveller at Chelsea on Wednesday evening. While Pep Guardiola's side left it late to find the net for the first time over two legs against the Blues, Pique feels his side boast too much firepower to be kept quiet.

"A team like this that is trying to attack all the time cannot go 180 minutes without scoring a goal," he said. "It was the last minute, but it was enough to qualify for the final and I have no words to describe how happy the team is."

Barca face Reds in Roma

An incredible injury-time equaliser for 10-man Barcelona booked the Catalan giants a Champions League Final date with United in Rome on May 27.

Barça trailed Chelsea for almost the entire match by virtue of Michael Essien's stunning opener at Stamford Bridge, but Andres Iniesta hammered home from the edge of the area in the 93rd minute - with the visitors' first strike on target - to swing the tie towards the La Liga leaders.

Eric Abidal was sent off midway through the second period and Daniel Alves also picked up a third booking of the competition, meaning that they will both miss out on facing United in the Stadio Olimpico.

Chelsea's frustrations boiled over at full-time, with the last-gasp nature of the defeat particularly tough to take, especially when allied to a string of strong penalty claims being waved away - including one for handball in the 96th minute.

It had seemed for so long that, for the first time ever, the same two teams would contest the Champions League Final in successive seasons, but instead it is Barça who will take on the holders in Rome in a repeat of last season's epic semi-final.

MU - BARCA : The Dream Final

The Dream Final Is On
It is the world's best team of last year – winners of the European Cup, the World Club Cup and the Premier League – against the side that many consider the world's best this year. Sir Alex Ferguson reckons this is his strongest team ever; Catalan commentators have described Pep Guardiola's Barcelona as the greatest of all time. Could any side other than Barcelona deny United their right to the tag of favourites? If the European Cup final is supposed to be between Europe's best two clubs, this is the right pairing. Rome will be historic: between them United and Barcelona have appeared in eight finals but they have never met there. They have met before, though. And if Chelsea-United conjures up penalty shoot-outs, Barcelona-United brings to mind Romario and Stoichkov, Yorke and Cole at their peak. A 4–0 to Barcelona, a 2–2, two 3–3s.
Sid Lowe, The Guardian

Also high on the agenda is Paul Scholes sympathising with Darren Fletcher’s final suspension. Scholes suffered his own Champions League heartache in 1999 when he and Roy Keane were suspended for the Nou Camp final.

However, The Sun reports that Fletch could be handed a “sensational reprieve”, with UEFA official David Taylor lending his backing to the United midfielder’s hopes of overturning his semi-final dismissal.

The Daily Star and Daily Express claim that Sir Alex has promised Ji-sung Park a place in his Champions League starting line-up after his recent performances. ‘Unsung hero gets the nod’ is the Express headline.

Patrice Evra has urged the Reds to sign-up talismanic winger and French international teammate Franck Ribery from Bayern Munich in the summer, according to The Sun.

Round up by Mark Lomas

History Arsenal vs MU

Already a goal up on aggregate, United line up for 90 decisive minutes at the Emirates


Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his stunning 40-yard free-kick


Ji-sung Park seizes on Kieran Gibbs' slip to slide United ahead and stun Arsenal


Ji-sung Park races away after putting United two goals clear on aggregate


Ronaldo drills home an unstoppable 40-yard free-kick to put the Reds out of sight


Manuel Almunia is beaten by the raw power of Ronaldo's scorching free-kick


Ronaldo puts the seal on a stunning counter attack - and a clinical away display - for a brilliant third goal


The outstanding Nemanja Vidic keeps Emmanuel Adebayor quiet


Ronaldo revels in his goal in front of a stunned Emirates crowd


United's triumphant players salute their jubilant supporters at the Emirates


Sir Alex Ferguson and his coaches reflect on a tactical triumph


Rio Ferdinand and Darren Fletcher salute United's jubilant support after Ronaldo's strike


Darren Fletcher trudges from the field after being harshly sent off


Sir Alex takes to the field to congratulate his troops at full-time


David Beckham pops into the United dressing room to congratulate Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville

Giggs eyes Roman conquest

"We said last year we wanted to defend it (the Champions League), give it a big shot and that's what we've done. We've come out tonight and produced an unbelievable performance."

- Ryan Giggs

Having booked a berth in this season's Champions League final in Rome, the Reds are on course to make good on a pledge made at the end of last season.

For a player and a team that achieves so much, finding new challenges can be difficult. But almost as soon as last year's final in Moscow had swung in United's favour, the Reds' sights were set on becoming the first side in 20 years to successfully defend the trophy.

"We said last year we wanted to defend it (the Champions League), give it a big shot and that's what we've done," Giggs told MUTV.

"We came out tonight and produced an unbelievable performance.

"We knew we'd get chances because this team creates them, it's just about putting them away. We did and that put the pressure right back on Arsenal, knowing they had to score three goals. That left gaps at the back for us to score more, and that's what happened."

United now have four games to seal the Barclays Premier League title before attentions can switch to Rome, and Giggs admits the players are relishing such high stakes.

"This is what we want," he said. "At this part of the season, we want to win big games.

"We've got another one on Sunday against City. We're in the final now and we can concentrate on the Premier League."

Ruthless Reds march on

'Roar power can get us through', screamed the Evening Standard back page. ‘Mission: probable' boasted another of the seemingly endless London free-sheets.

By approximately four minutes to eight, those dreams were dust, tomorrow’s fish and chip papers early. As the small pocket of United fans partied like it was 1968, 1999 and 2008 rolled into one ("Going to Rome, and that’s a FACT"), the Arsenal faithful - those that hadn’t left their plush red seats half an hour early, that is - shuffled out of the Emirates into the still north London night air, heads bowed, eyes glazed, their season over. Outnumbered. Outgunned. Out on the Holloway Road, the disappointment was tangible; voices hushed, shocked. No-one was talking about the match. Highbury and Islington tube, usually a visitor’s nightmare, was a breeze: it was as if they were trying to pretend "the biggest match this stadium has ever hosted" (copyright Arsene Wenger’s programme notes) had never happened.

But enough of the vanquished. United’s triumph was sporting justice sweetly and swiftly delivered, a triumph of sweat, spirit and soul and desire. There was simply no answer to it. The scoreline on the night, indeed over the two legs, was still some way short of reflecting the gulf in class between the sides. After Kieron Gibbs’ slip allowed Ji-Sung Park to fire the Reds ahead - no comment on the Emirates turf from Monsieur Wenger, interestingly - home chins dropped to chests. Arsenal's ‘Mission: probable’ became mission: impossible and then some when Ronaldo blasted home the second goal three minutes later.

Fletcher, whose evening would end in such personal torment, Anderson and Park snapped at ankles; Rooney burst every sinew, Ronaldo played to the gallery as only he is able. At the back, Ferdinand and Vidic snuffed out every offensive, Evra and O’Shea were solid down the flanks, while van der Sar

largely looked on.

That just about the biggest home cheer of the opening half from the Arsenal fans came for an offside decision against Wayne Rooney said it all. Sir Alex had outwitted the professor good and proper - Tevez or Berbatov? Umm, tell you what, I’ll leave them both on the bench. Deal with that.

Flags had been left on seats beforehand, a rallying cry to the Gunners. They were waved ever more limply as the evening wore on, by the end it looked like a gesture of surrender. Contrast that with the clenched fist of Federico Macheda, visible in the middle tier behind the United end, in response to his serenade from the faithful.

One ticketless United fan, who’d paced the concourse fruitlessly before the game, told of his purchase from a home fan. The vendor had arrived late. Once informed of the early exchanges by our man, he decided to cut his losses. Last night, any price was right - apart from those on the betting slips that carpeted the streets, along with those discarded back pages, trampled, like Arsenal, under foot.

The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

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Boss expects Blues

The Reds are going to Rome, and Sir Alex expects to meet Chelsea there.

United sealed a spot in the Champions League final by beating Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. And despite Barcelona’s mouth-watering 6-2 win over Real Madrid, Sir Alex believes Guus Hiddink’s men will win Wednesday's semi-final tie.

“Barcelona have fantastic players and I watched them on Saturday night,” Sir Alex told ITV. “I was absolutely drooling watching them. It was a magnificent performance.

“But they have centre-back problems at the moment and at Chelsea that may cost them. I think Chelsea will possibly get through.”

Chelsea play Barcelona on Wednesday 6 May at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 19:45 BST). Victory for the home side would, of course, set up a second successive Champions League final between United and the Blues.

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