Man Utd are still outsiders after easy win
Manchester United's 4-1 semi-final second leg stroll past Schalke has confirmed that they will face Barcelona in the Champions League Final for the second time in three years, in what will be their third final appearance in four years, and it feels like such a showdown is meant to be.
Both clubs are fighting for their fourth tournament triumph, having secured their first ever at the old Wembley, and provided Chelsea fail to win at Old Trafford on Sunday, the showpiece is also likely to pair the champions of La Liga and the Premier League, the leagues rated the strongest in Europe.
Barcelona appear certain to start as favourites having comfortably seen off Sir Alex Ferguson's side 2-0 in their last meeting two years ago and are currently offered at [1.57].
The Red Devils' price has moved in slightly from [2.86] to [2.74] after they finished a 6-1 aggregate rout of Schalke, but there's no mistaking the fact that they will head to London as underdogs despite boasting home country advantage, which aided Juventus in 1995-96 and Borussia Dortmund in 1996-97.
The Premier League leaders have been underestimated for much of this season's competition, trading as fourth favourites behind Real Madrid and Chelsea for the majority and at one point being matched at [19.5], however they've been hugely impressive on the continent so far this term.
Barcelona are widely viewed as Europe's finest and with some justification, though Manchester United have perhaps more cause to be satisfied with their campaign to date having not conceded a single goal away from Old Trafford and won each of their last five games.
Pep Guardiola's team have been no slouches of course, taking care of Arsenal, Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Madrid, and Ferguson has admitted he will be seeking the advice of Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho before the May 28 encounter.
Can Manchester United deny Barcelona? Offer a prediction below...
Published: 8 May 2011
Ismail (May 5, 2011 10:03 AM) said:
Why not, united we surprise so many people in this final cup. There is so manythings that we go on there way 4 winning d cup, u know now. good Lock is d first b4 eny order things.