Barca Boys Deliver Sending English Football Into Debate

As an Englishman and a pure football neutral of course (sparing the mighty Kidderminster Harriers which happens to be my home town) I have several issues with the Champions League Final last night.

Barcelona undoubtedly earned their stripes as the best team in Europe. Barring one or two glitches in their domestic season they have been simply superb and wonderful to watch.

No other team in the world could or can keep with them when they are in the proper form. Although United's effort was no stretch of the imagination valiant, it does not be deserved to be slated as much as I am hearing today.

Barcelona's team have magnificent attacking players who Andy Gray kept describing as little. "Little Iniesta with a little burst of acceleration into the space"

Andy, this was before the last few weeks one of the world's most underrated players said, "this is why me and my mate keep the talent of Cesc Fabregas out of our national side."

The two latter of these "little" players then combined to put an already successful Manchester United to bed. Much was made before the game of Ronaldo offering more all round than Messi.

But the magician popped up with a header which was much better technically than a lot of players who are rated for their ability in the air.

So Manchester were outplayed but they were by no means disgraced. An equal amount of shots, all be it more of Barcelona's were on target. The possession was only just slightly in Barca's favour.

In Manchester United you have a team that will always compete with Sir Alex. Chelsea did a terrific job for what they had available to them against Barcelona but Man United would feel total frauds if they ever felt they had to play like that.

It seemed like a lot of the balls by United were poor, but statistics do not lie.

Once Barcelona got in front they showed how potentially dangerous they are. Some of the football was, for me the neutral, outstanding simplistic five yard passes, one touch, two touch, then switching the play. Even Alec must have been admiring under all that chewing.

Much can be made of the team selection, but the strength in depth of the club even though they are usually praised for it was not up to scratch.

People criticise the selection of Anderson who, by the way, did not have the best of games and has been disappointing all season.

Who else were they meant to play there though? Giggs and Scholes?

Together in the same midfield? I haven't seen that much this season. Ferguson went with energy to get in and around the two subtle magicians in the famous red and blue.

Ji Sung Park is yet another criticism, in my personal opinion he has earned his place over the past few weeks, much like a certain Mr. Tevez.

The thing that probably went against Tevez starting though was his ability to change a game. Something that Fergie was happy to have in his armoury on the bench.

OK, so that's the game over. Now onto the reaction of certain fans around the country.

Fair enough, United fans gloat like any others in the world and not all of them go to the game week in week out.

But do Chelsea Liverpool or Arsenal fans up and down the country either? I think you will find the answer staring at you in any given pub that shows the games of a weekend.

Even though it would probably take a very bias fan to say Manchester were unlucky. They do not deserve all this bating because after all you have to be in a final to lose a final.

I do not think that if Chelsea lose the F.A. Cup final the weekend they will not be crucified on any where near the scale that the Reds have.