Manchester United vs Barcelona Champions League: Preview and Live Score

If you want to get the live score and updates of Champions league final 2009 between Barcelona and Manchester United, then visit the following link:

Barcelona vs Manchester United UEFA Champions League 2009 Final Live Updates

If you are interested to know the live score and updates of Chelsea vs Liverpool second leg semi final match of Champions League, then visit the following link:

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Live Score and Updates

If you are interested to get the live score and updates of the Manchester United vs Barcelona match, then visit the following link:

Manchester United vs Barcelona: Online Live Score and Updates

Manchester United and Barcelona are going to face each other on Tuesday in the second leg semi final match of Champions League. The first leg match ended in a goal less draw at the Nou Camp. The upcoming match will take place at the Old Trafford stadium. So, it is going to be the home match for the English giants.

Match: Manchester United vs Barcelona, second leg semi final of Champions League 2007-08

Venue: Old Trafford

Date: 29 April, Tuesday

Time: 19:45 BST

Live on TV and Radio: BBC Radio Five Live

As the first leg match ended in a goalless draw, it seems that Manchester United has some advantage in the second leg. However, it could go other way round, if the visitors score an early goal in the match, which means Manchester United has to score twice to win the ticket of Champions League final this season. While a goalless draw would take the match into additional time, any score draw would provide Barcelona with the ticket of the final in the competition. So, to some extent, I think, Barcelona also has some advantage in the match thanks to the goal less draw at home in the first leg match.

Weekend Blow

Both Manchester United and Barcelona received a weekend blow and you can not say that they can take inspiration from their defeat in the respective domestic league. Manchester United lost to Chelsea in a tight match, while Barcelona suffered a humiliating 0-2 defeat to Deportivo La Coruna.

Barcelona’s defeat may not have that much impact as Barcelona went into the match with 11 points behind the leaders Real Madrid. Even a victory would not give them any realistic chance to win the title of La Liga this season. At this moment Barcelona is four points behind the third placed Villarreal in the league point table with four matches to go in the season. Finishing the season second in the point table could only be a realistic chance for Barcelona, which would ensure a direct entrance in Champions League next season. Moreover, the Catalan club even does not have any worry to lose the third place in the league. Barcelona failed to win anything this season as they failed to impress in Copa del Rey as well. So, Champions League is now the only competition Barcelona could win silverware this season.

For Manchester United, the 1-2 defeat at Chelsea has had a huge impact. A victory against Chelsea could have ensured premier league title for Manchester United, which is now at stake. It is true that Manchester United is still leading the league point table, but only on goal difference. With two matches yet to go in the season, Manchester United has Chelsea as strong challenger to win the English premier league title.

In the first leg semi final, Barcelona dominated throughout the match. Though Manchester United played defensively, they got a penalty on the third minute of the match that Cristiano Ronaldo missed. From then on, Manchester United could hardly much any chance. For most of the time, ball was in Manchester United half. It looked a bit awkward that Manchester United played defensively, even in the presence of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez. However, reports have it that manager Sir Alex Ferguson wanted his boys defensively in the match. I think, the decision was not good, because a goal less draw away does not give Manchester United any significance advantage in the second leg of the semi final match of Champoins League.

Manchester United vs Barcelona: Head to Head

The two European giants faced each other eight times in the history. Both the clubs won twice with four matches ended in draw. The two sides met each other in 1998-99 Champions League when Manchester United won the Champions League title for the last time. Among the current players of Manchester United, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Wes Brown were in the squad of that Champions league winning team. For Barcelona, only Xavi of the current squad was in the 1998-99 Barcelona squad. Manchester United won the Champions league title twice in the history. Barcelona also won the tournament twice, 2006 Champions League title being the last one the Catalan club won.

Recent Performance of Manchester United and Barcelona

Manchester United is at their best at this moment. The club won only on thee occasions out of their last seven outings in all competitions, with the latest defeat and other three matches were drawn. As it is a home match for Manchester United, let us see the recent home record of Manchester United. To be honest, their home record of late is quite satisfactory. Manchester United won eight out of their last ten home matches in all competitions.

For Barcelona, their recent performance is not satisfactory at all. Out of their last seven matches in all competitions, Barcelona won only twice, whole lost in one and other four matches were drawn. Now, let us see their latest performance on the go. Barcelona lost four out of their last ten away matches, while won only three matches and drew other three matches. However, Barcelona has maintained an excellent recored in Champions Leauge. The Catalan side is now on 12 unbeaten streak in the competition.

Manchester United vs Barcelona Champions League: Injury, Disciplinary and Player News

I mentioned earlier that Manchester United played a bit defensive during the first leg match. That was part of the strategy of Sir Alex Ferguson at Barcelona. However, now it is expected that Manchester United show some attacking football at home to receive the ticket of Champions League final. The combination of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez could be lethal for any defense. However, Wayne Rooney is now doubtful for the second leg match against Barcelona due to hip injury sustained during the match against Chelsea. Defender Nemanja Vidic also pulled up with a facial injury in the match. Both of them are doubtful for the second leg semi final against Barcelona. Rooney and Vidic missed training session today. Vidic also missed the first leg against Barcelona because of illness. However, manager Sir Alex Ferguson expects that both of them will be available for the Barcelona encounter.

Times online reported:

"Vidic has got a few stitches under his lip and he’s lost a tooth," he said.

"He was dazed rather than concussed but if we’d waited for him to come round we would have played 10 or 15 minutes with 10 men and you can’t afford that in such a big game. So we took him off."

"Wayne got the same knock as he got last week, straight on the hip bone," he added. "It takes a while for that to clear because, when you get a bang on it, it’s very painful. I’m hopeful he will be all right for Tuesday's match."

However, Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick and Wes Brown are ready to face Barcelona at home. Midfielder Darren Fletcher came back into action against Chelsea after recovering from a knee injury. For Barcelona, there are some good as well as bad news. The Catalan club will miss defender Rafa Márquez due to suspension, while fellow Mexican Giovani Dos Santos is also unavailable as he picked up with a head injury against Deportivo La Coruna. Defender Edmílson is expected to replace Giovani Dos Santos against Manchester United. However, most importantly, Barcelona Captain and experienced defender Carles Puyol is available for the match after missing the first leg match due to suspension. His presence will definitely make the Catalan defense stronger.

Goal.com reported:

Carles Puyol returns to the side after missing the first leg through suspension and he will replace Rafa Márquez who is out after being booked last week. Edmílson has been recalled to the squad in place of young Giovani Dos Santos, who received a blow to the head against Deportivo on Saturday.

Gaby Milito, and Andrés Iniesta will also be back in the squad after missing the La Liga match against Deportivo La Coruna due to suspension. Leonel Messi, Xavi and Samuel Eto'o were rested for the Premira Division match and it is needless to say that Frank Frank Rijkaard will be happy to see them at their best at Old Trafford. Long term absentee Ronaldinho along with second goal keeper Albert Jorquera remain sidelined with injury. Oleguer and Santi Ezquerro have not been named for the 18 men squad of this match. Though midfielder Yaya Toure received a knock to his ankle against Deportivo La Coruna, he will travel to Manchester United with the Catalan side.

Manchester United vs Barcelona: What Managers Say

You might be interested to know what the managers of both sides are thinking ahead of the mouth watering clash. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said that at home, his side would be different to the first game. However, it is not clear if he meant it aggressive football by saying ‘different to the first game’. I mentioned earlier that Manchester United defensively, which does not go with their attacking nature of football in the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez. Moreover, Ferguson also felt happy for not giving too many chances to Barcelona in the first leg match.

Earth Times reported:

"We sealed off the areas where teams don't normally do well against Barcelona," he said. "They had a lot of play around the box but our concentration was very good...They didn't make a lot of chances."

Ferguson is confident that star striker Wayne Rooney will be fit after being substituted in Saturday's 2-1 defeat away to Chelsea.

"Rooney had a bang on the hip," Ferguson said on Sunday.

"It is very, very painful but hopefully he will be all right for Tuesday. Wayne's a team player who sacrifices himself all the time."

Frank Rijkaard insists his players to play aggressive football at Manchester United in order to put the pressure on the host team. The Dutch manager said Barcelona had always maintained their own style of football. He added that on Tuesday, Barcelona would be seen more attacking than what they were at home. The Catalan manager thinks that becoming aggressive and putting the pressure on Manchester United are the keys to this match.

Sportinglife reported:

"But against Manchester United we have to play strong. To defend is not the correct course of action in this case. We have to play with aggression and by putting them under pressure."

"It is a difficult ground and a strong team, but I think that we can get through,"

"On Tuesday I am sure they will come out more to attack than at the Nou Camp and we must take advantage of our chances. The keys to the tie? To be aggressive and put them under a lot of pressure so as to make life difficult for them.

"To defend the result is not our style. We need to worry only about our play."

So, I think, an exciting match is waiting there at the Old Trafford on Tuesday. Both teams are now looking to play attacking football in the deciding match. Defenders as well as the forwards of both sides have to spend a busy time in the match.

Manchester United vs Barcelona: Online Live Score and Updates

Fans are now excited with this match and are eagerly waiting to watch the match on television, if unable to attend at the stadium. However, some of you may not be that much fortunate to manage their time in order to stick to television due to personal and professional tasks. However, you can get the online live score and updates of the match from different online live score websites. Here, I am giving some links of online live score websites:

Live Score

Goalzz

Footie Scorez

Sportpress

Goal.com

Now, the question comes here is that who are going to get into the final of Champions League this season. Well, that is a million dollar question. Manchester United will have home advantage, while an early goal for Barcelona would require Manchester United scoring two goals. Given the fact that both teams are expected to play attacking football, I think, anything could happen in the match. If Barcelona defense performs well, then Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo would find their task difficult. On the other hand, Barcelona forwards have to be at their best to break the Manchester United defense. Both the sides have some attacking forwards who could be decisive for the opponent defense. So, I see a classic match waiting there at the Old Trafford on Tuesday. Anything can happen and both the sides, I think, have enough chances to receive the ticket of the final of Champions League. To be honest, the match is too big to make a prediction.