A United-Barcelona Champions League Final Favors the Red Devils

After watching Manchester United systematically dismantle the hopes of Arsenal and its fans at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening, I began to wonder which team would provide the biggest challenge to United in the final.

A mouth watering clash between Chelsea and Barcelona awaited me and I couldn't decide who would or should come out of the tie. Barcelona had crushed Real Madrid 6-2 in La Liga on the weekend, and Chelsea still had dreams of a Cup double.

Without Thierry Henry, I thought Barcelona were always going to have a tough time at Stamford Bridge. I didn't know that the likes of Messi and the rest of the boys would put on such a mediocre performance.

Sure there was some luck involved in Michael Essien's drive, but Chelsea absolutely dominated the game for 93 minutes. Then it happened, Barcelona got the tying goal that sent them through to the final on their only shot on goal.

All questionable penalty decisions that never were aside, who really deserved to be in the final between these two? And who is actually going to give United problems?

The answer to the second question has to be Chelsea. The Blues were reeling from their defeat in Moscow last year, and thought they had something to prove, and a chance to do that against the team that beat them last year would have been perfect.

While defender Alex would have been missing, Chelsea's midfield and defense would have proved solid against a United squad that would look to go forward.

In all likelihood, the Final would have probably resembled last year's.

But gone is that Chelsea dream, and the Catalan Giants are going to appear in Rome on May 27.

So how should you like Barca's chances against the defending champs? You know where my loyalties lie, but can you really believe United will lose this game?

Barca's back four is decimated through injury and suspension. Yaya Toure will be Barca's only defender to start the Champions League final from Wednesday's semi-final triumph.

Barring any new injuries, United should be at full fitness come May 27 , with the exception of long-term absentee Owen Hargreaves, and the tremendously unfortunate Darren Fletcher, who saw red in the semi-final.

Sir Alex Ferguson will have the tough task of picking a side from the talented group of players he has. The biggest question asked by the press will likely be whether or not he chooses to start Tevez over Berbatov or vice-versa.

While Barcelona has looked impressive during this season's La Liga campaign, they failed to dazzle over their two legs against the Blues. They will have to play at a high level if they hope to beat the defending champs.

Right now, it's hard to see how United won't be tremendous favorites come May 27.