How should Fergie play his hand?

Lionel Messi, in an interview with CNN International, said he was surprised by Manchester United's tactics in their Champions League semi-final first leg match: "We believed they would try to beat us, that they would also want to have possession, but instead, they were very defensive, and had eight men behind the ball throughout the match. It was really hard to penetrate their back line. We had a lot of possession and dominated the game so we were surprised."

Sir Alex Ferguson was widely criticised for his tactics in Spain, especially for playing Wayne Rooney in an orthodox right wing position. So what should United's plan be for the second leg at Old Trafford tonight considering that Barcelona will be expected to play with more urgency?

We're making you the manager. How would you approach the game? Would you partner Rooney with Cristiano Ronaldo in attack? Should the midfield include a defensive player to counter the threat of Barcelona scoring a crucial away goal? Would playing Ryan Giggs offer a better balance to the team? And would you rush Nemanja Vidic back into the centre of defence or take a chance on Gerard Pique?

Share your tactical nous with us by leaving a comment below.

Comments

[andy]

4-4-2
van der saar,

brown,ferdinad,vidic,evra,
ronaldo,scholes,anderson,giggs,
tevz,ronaldo.....

is this is the 1st 11 squad i bet red devil'z sure to beat barcelona!!!!!!

[William Gould]

SAF has played players out of position and in strange formations for years in the latter stages of the Champions league! Think back to the 4-3-3 away to Leverkusen where Giigs played up front with Solskjear wide left and Veron wide right. Away to Barcelona, we had a winger up front, two forwards in midfield and a midfielder a right back!

When are people in this country going to realise that 0-0 away in the first leg is NOT a good result? This means in the second leg you HAVE to win, whereas the away team only need to draw.

I'm a big United fan but not holding out much hope for tonight, and will be set to cringe when I see the team and formation!

[Steven Hamilton]

Van Der Sar

Brown Ferdinand Vidic/Pique Evra

Hargreaves

Ronaldo Scholes Anderson Giggs

Rooney

With Rooney dropping off but supported by Scholes, Giggs and Ronaldo they have the attacking impetus, from deep, to break through Barcas defensive frailties, and with Anderson and Hargreaves mopping up, as well as Giggs occasionally doubling up on Messi, it should be sound defensively too. Easy, this management lark.

[Oli (Manchester)]

Van Der Sar
Brown
Vidic
Ferdinand
Evra
Hargreaves
Carrick
Anderson
Scholes
Ronaldo
Rooney