United set up second leg by containing threat of Messi

Sir Alex Ferguson should be happy to take the scoreless draw back to Old Trafford where they can attack

David Pleat

Manchester United will be content with this. Barcelona might still be weaving those artistic patterns this morning but coming up with no end product. This was never, as many had predicted, going to be a feast of attacking football played out in this awesome theatre.

United set out to contain Barça's threat from the outset. Wayne Rooney and Park Ji-Sung were dispatched wide to ensure that Owen Hargreaves, at right-back, and Patrice Evra on the left had sufficient cover to deter the pass to the flank and to double up when Barça's livelier players gained possession. With Park and Rooney acting as auxiliary defenders, the Catalans were confronted with a thick white wall.

Barça's first-half approach may have been neat and tidy but it was also slow and predictable. As a consequence United could sit comfortably behind the ball. They might even have led. Gabriel Milito's handball and a Rafael Márquez challenge could have produced two scores, but one penalty was missed by Cristiano Ronaldo and the other was ignored by the referee.

Yet no one could doubt United's endeavour. Park and Rooney stuck to their roles with honesty, the latter the embodiment of "club before self" before being subbed for Nani. The watching world will have been disappointed but, in containing Barça's easy-on-the-eye build-up, the visitors' job was done.

Their doubling up on the flanks was particularly impressive. Lionel Messi, the hosts' greatest source of danger, got chalk on his boots as he preyed up and down the touchline. Cutting inside with his caring left-foot control, he commanded the ball despite the attentions of Park and Evra. He was always good enough to attract the ball, often from his full-back Gianluca Zambrotta, but United always had players around him to ensure he could not exploit and penetrate.

In holding up Messi, United have set up the second leg. Carles Puyol will be back, Messi a shade fitter and perhaps Thierry Henry will join the fray from the start. Barcelona will be involved in a far more open game at Old Trafford and goals will come. We know United can play excitingly and, at home, they will get that opportunity. What we may now doubt is whether Barça have the cutting edge to force their way to Moscow.

原文地址:http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/04/24/united_set_up_second_leg_by_co.html