Manchester United blog..

It's the day of reckoning for United and Chelsea, the talking is nearly over, later this evening in Moscow one of these teams will be celebrating winning the Champions League - for the loser it will be total devastation.

Having followed United since 1970, I have experienced the build up and know all about all the Reds previous finals. In 1968 against Benfica, I was just ten years of age - I was 5oth this year - those who follow United will understand the significance in relation to the 50th Anniversary of the Munich air disaster.

A lot has been made of the fact that this current United side has the chance to mark the 50th anniversary of that fateful air-crash by winning the Champions League. However, United legend and crash survivor Bobby Charlton was quick to play down the Munich link earlier this week when saying that the players have a duty to go out and win the trophy by playing the United way. How true.

One or two of the current players have also spoken out saying that they are keen to make up for the many previous disappointments in Europe under Ferguson. The problem is, we've heard this many times before. All too often when it has really mattered in Europe our players have collectively and individually let themselves down. Talk is cheap.

Unlike in 1999, United's passage to the final hasn't been what we United fans have come to expect in terms of free-flowing attacking football with goals a plenty. We overcame Barcelona after being more or less totally outplayed in both legs, we defended well, but in all honesty we'd been given a football lesson. Thankfully the Catalans could not finish. Yet the day after reaching the final we even had a few Liverpool fans saying they could appreciate United's performance...

So we go into the final against Chelsea, a team who know how to win ugly - their style of play isn't for the purist, they are the masters of total pragmatic football as laid down by Jose Mourinho. I suspect that even Chelsea's owner Roman Abramovich doesn't like watching them that much given that he reportedly craves for a more attacking style of play.

Given the opposition, it is probably too much to expect that we should be treated to a free-flowing slugfest of a final. For this reason, we are no doubt set for another battle, as Chelsea always seem to suck the life out of the game. Thinking about playing Chelsea is like thinking about a trip to the dentist, not something to look forward to as it's usually always painful on the senses.

But let us be positive, United do have the ability to unlock the Chelsea back four; we have the skill and pace of Ronaldo, the work-rate and guile of Tevez coupled with the power, knowhow, and technique of Rooney.

The former Everton striker has just released a revealing Nike video in which he gives us an insight into his dedication to his craft.



Rooney talks about the importance of having a good first touch, and this could be key against Chelsea whose defenders don't usually give forwards a second chance. But the England striker has the skill to capitalise on any mistakes as he showed recently at Stamford Bridge with a superbly taken goal after being gifted the ball by a Chelsea defender.

If I have a dream, it is that the final finishes 1-1 after 90 minutes and then like in 1968 United go on to win 4-1 in extra time with Rooney scoring twice and Ronaldo and Tevez getting in on the scoring act.

The United players have travelled to Moscow as heroes; we are hoping that they return as legends.

Come on Wayne, you know how to do it la...

Labels: Moscow Champions league final