Manchester United vs. Barcelona 2011: Wayne Rooney Looks for Vindication

Barcelona and Manchester United will do battle on Saturday, July 30th at Fed Ex Field in Landover, MD at 7 p.m. EST. This World Football Challenge game may be just an exhibition and a tune-up for bigger things, but when Manchester United and FC Barcelona face each other it never feels like an exhibition.

This match will be a rematch of the UEFA Champions League final that was won by Barcelona.

The game will give Americans a taste of some of the best that men's soccer has to offer, and many of the teams stars are set to get significant run. Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and David Villa will all be on the pitch for Barcelona. Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Nani will be on the pitch for Man U. 

This will be Barcelona's first match in the World Football Challenge. They just won the Audi Cup in Germany, but many of their stars did not play in that two-day tournament. This will them a chance to stretch out their starters' legs a bit before starting the regular season.

Meanwhile, Manchester United has already been rolling through the World Football Challenge. They have been thrilling crowds, especially star Wayne Rooney.

Manchester United's current trip through America has been highlighted by a few walk in the park victories over MLS teams, and one that was close until the end. And while the MLS teams haven't put up much of a challenge to the world football powerhouse, the visit has been a big success. Fans are coming out in droves to watch the sport and see some the world's greatest players. And they are definitely coming out to see Wayne Rooney.

For his part, Rooney has not disappointed. Rooney has been flashing his skills and tearing up MLS defenses in the process. Manchester United is coming off of a 7-0 trouncing of the Seattle Sounders. Rooney booted in three of the goals.

Then in the ensuing match versus the Chicago Fire Rooney did not enter the match until late in the second half. When he did enter the match his team was trailing 1-0. Rooney's impact was immediately felt. He scored the tying goal and took over the action. Manchester won the match 3-1.

Rooney's impressive run in these exhibitions is no surprise. The English striker had a tumultuous 2010 as his team came up just short of their ultimate goal. Rooney seems intent on erasing both failures. He not only wants his team to Barcelona, but he wants to catch their best player.

Here is Rooney on the subject as quoted from MLSSoccer.com:

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“Messi is a great player, and I think not just for me, but for every footballer out there, that's the target you want to try to get to, and hopefully I can do that.

"I'm a player who wants to do well all the time and I know I can always improve. So if I keep working and practicing, hopefully I can do that. I don't really set targets, but it would be nice if I can get through the season injury-free. That would be a big boost for me.

“I hope that I'm going to get better and better. I work and practice hard every day to try to achieve that, so if I do that, it'll be great for me and the club."

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If Rooney plays against Barcelona like he has been against the MLS teams, then Barcelona will get a first hand glimpse of just how great Rooney and his club can be.