Friendly with the Enemy

What an odd situation to find ourselves in. A friendly against Barcelona, only 2months after being defeated by them in the last competitive match of the season. Although this now looks like a disastrous fixture for United, it was arranged well in advance of the Champions league final (announced on 29/03/11 to be exact) and poised to be a show case between the two greatest club sides in the world, to show America how good the game can be.....unfortunately that seems to be exactly what has happened with the two clubs meeting on the 28th of May for the crown. (even more unfortunate that United lost)

Many people have been talking about this game being a chance to get revenge, others saying that will be the cry if Manchester win but if we lose it line will be that it was only a friendly.

I view it slightly differently in that if we win, everybody will state its only a friendly and if we were to meet again (towards the end) of next season we couldn't repeat the feat. Then if we lose they will use this as a platform to once again question Uniteds credentials alongside the likes of Barca. To me it seems we cannot win in this situation, it will be played down if we win and blown up if we lose.

Fergies has stated this week that he would happily play his youngsters against Barcas youngsters as it would be very interesting. I also think it would void the result as an opportunity for the sports media to pounce on us and create pressure within the squad before the start of the new season.

I think I have come across very pessimistic in this post, I don't mean to and I am looking forward to the Barcelona friendly more than I have any of the rest. And the result will be meaningless when the season starts, regardless if we do meet Barcelona or not. I am not looking forward to the the media hype, whether we win or lose, which will more than likely follow the result. I'm just hope the tie has no negative effects on the mentality of the squad.

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All Done - Just Starting

OK quick and brief - Champions league final. Not going to pretend im not gutted and no-one will convince me that Utd couldn't beat barca but their is no denying they were the better team on the night....again.

Barca - Best team on the night - manutd.com

On more important note (and easier to talk about because we got beat) the great Paul Scholes has hung up his boots.  I am 22 now and so cant remember a time before Scholes. Because he is so quite, I feel he is sometimes under appreciated. Perhaps this wouldnt be the case if he didn't come through in the same era as Giggsy, surely the only player who outshines Scholes in terms of his loyalty, appearences and presence at Man Utd in modern day football.

In a career spaning 676 games, Scholes has scored 150 goals from center midfield. A lot of them trademark strikes from outside the box. In the past few years, he has sat deeper becoming more of a creator, his range of passing is surpassed by none with even Zindane once claiming Scholes is the best player he has played againsts.

He has won almost everything in the game with the following roll of honour:

Manchester United
Premier League:1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008,2009
UEFA Champions League: 1999, 2008
Intercontinental Cup: 1999
FA Cup:1996, 1999, 2004
League Cup: 2006, 2010
FIFA Club World Cup: 2009
Paul Scholes Personal Honours
FA Premier League Player of the Month: Jan 2003, Dec 2003, Oct 2006
PFA Team of the Year: 2003, 2007
 
A pretty impressive list of  titles, proves the only thing Paul Scholes didn't achomplish in his career was how to tackel properly.....though secretly I think it was more something he chose not to learn, as one rough tackle can just as effective as 15 more throughout the match as the player in possession will be being very catious the next time they are on the ball.

Although I agree with his decision that now is the right time to hang up the boots. I am still very sad to see him go, he is a true legend and I am very glad that he will be staying on as a coach! Hopefully influencing future generations to come.

Scholes - Waves final farewell ar Wembly after Champions League final - skysports.com

As for Man Utd....

Alex Ferguson and Mike Phelam plan next steps - manutd.com