Champions League Final Interview with Martin Lipton

Ahead of the Champions League Final at Wembley against Barcelona on Saturday, I caught up with Martin Lipton (The Mirror Chief Football Writer) to gauge his opinion on the teams, tactics and players.

At the start of the season, not many would have tipped United to make it to the final, what have you made of their European campaign this year?

It's been a slow-burner, no question. The group phase was dull beyond belief but the key is to do what you need to do - win your group - without expending too much effort or energy. In the knock-out you've got better and better. Marseille was a bit twitchy, Chelsea never really in doubt, Schalke a massacre both games. Now the real test....

Is it an advantage to United that the final will be staged at Wembley?

I don't think so, but not a disadvantage either. United will probably have the majority of fans but that would have been the case if the game had been played in the Nou Camp! The pitch, finally, is top-class and will make it a proper football match. It's not just Barca who can pass the ball, you know.

How impressed have you been with Barcelona this season?

They are an excellent side, beautiful in possession as they all feel comfortable on the ball but also formidable in the way they win it back by hunting as a pack. Also, with Villa up top rather than Ibrahimovic, they are more of a cohesive unit. Saying that, I can't believe they've ever played as well as they did in the first hour at Arsena last season, which was absolutely phenomenal.

Barcelona has been rated by some as the best side in history, what are your thoughts on this?

They're the best team - on the ball - that I've seen. Quite how that racks them up against the Real Madrid team that dominated, Ajax under Michels, Milan in their pomp under Sacchi and Capello, Liverpool under Paisley, Bayern when they were effectively Germany without Berti Vogts, is harder to say. I would pay to watch them. At the same time, I thought United against Chelsea to win the league were as good as I've seen them as well. 

How do you see United lining up? Rooney & Hernandez or just one up front and flood the midfield? Will they press high up the pitch or sit back? (Question via @Sleepy_Nik)

Think it would be tempting to go negative, go Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs and Park across the middle with Rooney on his own up top. But that, I think, would lead to only one outcome - 2-0 Barca. Also, Rooney is at his best dropping off while Hernandez has been an utter revelation and the last thing Fergie will want is to lose wondering if he could've been more adventurous. Could be horrible if United can't get near the ball and Barca pass round them. But if they can play themselves and cause problems, it will be a very different game.

How much do you feel Sir Alex would have learned from the previous final in 2009 when they were outplayed and out-thought? How will this affect his tactics this time around?

What was so odd in Rome was that for the first 10 minutes there was only one side in it - and that was United. But once Eto'o scored I don't think you touched the ball again. Fergie will demand you get much, much tighter. One thing is that, without Ronaldo, you will have 11 all contributing to the team. CR7 was only interested in proving he was better than Messi and not in the job he was supposed to do. If Fletcher is properly fit he will have to consider leaving Carrick out so you have someone who can get in and amongst Iniesta and Xavi.  

Messi is lauded as the best player in the world, how do you assess his genius alongside all time greats such as Pele and Maradona? How will United deal with him on the night?

Messi has all of Maradona's talent but none of the nastiness and cynicism. All you can do is try to make him use his right and send him out wide into places where he can't hurt you. But you've got to accept that at some stage in the game he is likely to do something remarkable and you just hope it doesn't lead to a goal. He is a remarkable player, all the more so given that he would've been lost to the game if he had not had all that human growth hormone pumped into him when he came to Barcelona from Rosario as a kid.

Dani Alves is an important player from right back, do you see him being as progressive as normal or will he have to rein in his attacking tendencies? (Question via @Sleepy_Nik)

Alves can only play one way, bombing on. He is a danger coming forward but leaves himself exposed as a consequence. Park can certainly take advantage as could Hernandez making in to out runs through the inside left (from United perspective) channel.

Who do you see as the key players on either side? How will they affect the outcome of the game?

The obvious, really. Messi, Iniesta and Xavi for Barca, because they're the one who make them tick. For United, much will depend, as ever, on how Vidic and Ferdinand defend. Then Valencia has to get at them on the right, Rooney needs to be influential and Chicarito will have to make those runs for the one time the ball gets there. 

How would you compare Guardiola and Ferguson in relation to management styles?

I think they're actually quite similar in terms of how they want the game played. Both are footballing romantics - in stark contrast to the cynical pragmatism of Mourinho for example - and want their team to play the right way. Of course, you could argue Fergie is better when he is more simple and that when he tries to be clever it often fails. And there is the reasonable argument that his two greatest nights, in Barcelona and Moscow, were achieved despite the decisions he made rather than because of them. Guardiola would be, I reckon, the perfect replacement when Fergie goes. He understands what it takes to run a big club and goes out of his way to avoid unnecessary controversy. 

Counter attack will be key to United's chances in the game, do you feel they have the personnel to cause Barcelona problems?

No doubt about that. Valencia can hurt whoever plays at left-back, Hernandez can cause real problems for the centre-halves, Rooney will revel in the space Barca might leave. But United have to win the ball back early, so that the transition takes place where it can hurt Barca. 

If United were to win, how would the team be remembered for their exploits this season?

Arguably - no scratch that, definitely -  given that this looked like a transition season, their greatest achievement. To win the 19th title and then beat the best footballing team on the planet, on the biggest stage, would be epoch-making and a truly defining moment in the history of a great, great club.  

Finally, what is your score prediction and how do you think the game will pan out?

Having said all that, and despite wanting United to win, I think it will be very hard for them to do so. Barca are a fabulous side and if I had to put money on it, I'd go 2-1 to them. Then again, I thought you'd smash them in Rome. And I'm the worst tipster of all time!

A big thank you to Martin for taking the time to answer my questions. Please leave any comments below and you can always contact Martin on Twitter to discuss any issues that have arisen.