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Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United (2011)

A footballing lesson was handed out in 2011 at Wembley Stadium as Barcelona took on Manchester United. Barcelona at the peak of their powers under Pep Guardiola dominated the game from start to finish proving they were one of the greatest sides ever assembled. 

Looking back at this game and the starting line ups it wasn’t a bad United team, with a back four including Ferdinand, Vidic & Evra. Rooney as number 10 and Hernandez up top. However, Barcelona with the midfield trio of Iniesta, Xavi & Busquets (the best midfield trio in the world) and someone called Messi up front, simply tore United apart.

A few half chances at the start for United but the Catalan side created chance after chance and finally broke through with a Pedro strike sending Van der Sar the wrong way. Rooney did grab an equaliser for United but the class difference between the two sides grew in the second half and Messi & Co extended the lead with a couple of stunning goals. Messi’s goal came in the blink of an eye, put him on his left foot you know how it ends. The Barcelona third was a curling shot from David Villa from the edge of the D which went top bins. A well-deserved win which wrapped up Barcelona’s 4th European Cup success. This was also the last time Pep won the Champions League, it’s been a very long time for Fraudiola, sorry Guardiola lifting this one.

You can refresh your memory of the final here

Next up it’s a trip to Germany in 2012, can Bayern win it in their own back yard?

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