Manchester United-Barcelona: Its Stale Mate at Camp Nou

The most anticipated game of the season so far started almost sensationally for the visitors. A second minute penalty that was ultimately sent soaring into the stands by the man of the moment Cristiano Ronaldo. And that was pretty much it for United on the attacking front for the rest of the match.

Many times a highly anticipated clash between two footballing giants has failed to live up to the expectations. Even this time the story was not different. What had all the makings of an explosive affair turned into a tactical game of chess with managers walking away with more plaudits than the players themselves.

Apart from the penalty incident and one more penalty appeal by Ronaldo it was all Barcelona, trying to open up a sealed Man United defense. Messi by far outshone Ronaldo in this match by putting in a man of the match performance for the cataluniya. Every thing that was thrown at the united defence went through him.

But on the other hand, every thing that was thrown at the united defense (which sometimes comprised of ten men behind the ball) was met with determination. This by far is one of the best defensive displays in Europe for some time.

Barcelona threw everything they had at United but the defense was too resolute to let in goals. Even the creative mastery of Messi was not enough on the day.

On the whole it looked as if it was United's defense versus Barca's attack. No points for guessing who won.

United put in a thorough professional European performance, away from home. Not conceding and that could be vital. United know that they can win at Old trafford. Hence, out of the two it is united who would go away from this match happier.

But it must be mentioned that United played a game very unlike them, with almost ten men behind the ball always. Ronaldo alone upfront struggled and had a bad day overall.  Rooney was never in the match and Scholes looked out of sorts. Evra was certainly the man of the match for united.

Barcelona on the other hand must be absolutely livid with themselves for not converting 65% of ball possession into a goal. 

Tactically one feels Sir Alex got one ahead of Rijkaard.

With a nil-nil draw played at nou camp, all eyes now turn to old trafford. Man United have a slight edge having not conceded at Camp Nou.

Its all to play for at old trafford.