Magnificent Barcelona Can Be Beaten, Says Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson paid a tribute to Barcelona yesterday that was almost starry-eyed. The admiration will have been genuine but so, too, was the intention to relieve the pressure on Manchester United before they attempt to retain the Champions League trophy in Rome next Wednesday. He professed to have been alarmed by the quality of Pep Guardiola's when they virtually made sure of the La Liga title with a 6-2 rout of Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.

"I watched the game," Ferguson explained. "It was an absolutely magnificent performance and I said to myself, 'Christ, we have to play them, possibly.'" The United manager, all the same, took note as well of Barcelona's brush with elimination from the Champions League four days later, when refereeing decisions may have saved them in the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

"Chelsea showed they can be 'beaten'," Ferguson reflected. "I take some encouragement from that." This regard for "a fantastic team" is sincere insofar as he ­appreciates their commitment to enterprising football. Over the decades, United have enjoyed a similar reputation. Ferguson could even make the joke that there will be a clash of "two catenaccio" systems in Rome.

The reality, however, is that defensive rigour does happen to be a genuine issue. Barcelona's centre-half Rafael Márquez and the full-backs Daniel Alves and Eric Abidal are suspended. Ferguson predicted that the veteran Sylvinho would be at left-back in Rome, with the centre-half vacancy filled by Yaya Touré, a holding midfielder who was extremely uncomfortable in the middle of the back four at Stamford Bridge.

"We are in a stronger position because of that," Ferguson said of Barcelona's defensive dilemmas. The depth of the United squad has been increasingly impressive and Ferguson applauded the current right-back. "John O'Shea is an unsung hero like Denis Irwin. We used to say about Denis he was an eight out of 10 every week. But he didn't get the celebrity. John O'Shea falls into that category. Because of the injuries to Gary Neville and Wes Brown this year, he has become a permanent fixture. He takes his place in Rome because of his effort. He's ahead of everyone now."

Ferguson is still aware of the distress that can be caused to any defence by a Barcelona side that has improved markedly under a rookie manager. "I am pleased for Guardiola because when a former player takes over, it doesn't always work. Guardiola was always going to have a big question-mark, after being a great player there. But in his first full season, he has won the league. He has done fantastically well. His team reflect his own philosophy."

Ferguson also views this year's Barcelona as an improvement on the team, managed by Frank Rijkaard, that United knocked out last season. "They have become stronger defensively," said the Scot, "they are more mature." He was also far enough from kick-off to hope for an entertaining spectacle next week. "European [Cup] finals can be disappointing," he said. "You see some disappointing games: 1-0, 0-0 and penalty kicks. I have a feeling it won't be that way. There are very few big-scoring finals.

"Football always needs a boost. When we get a game of football that gives the real story of football, then we are all lifted by it. Manchester United and Barcelona can do that. It will be a fantastic final, [we are] playing a team with a fantastic philosophy of football, a great club history."

There was merriment over the idea that the match fitness of Thierry Henry and Andrés Iniesta is still in question. "What's wrong if the two of them don't make it!" he said. Ferguson's zest bears out his claim that the atmosphere surrounding United still galvanises him after 23 years there. "Expectation and the possible fear of losing helps you to be at the top end of your game all the time," he said.

The manager had a merry answer even when a Spanish journalist asked if he might become manager of Real Madrid, a club that has irked him with its pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo. "Do you know how old I am?" he asked. "First of all, I am not going. Second I am trying to make sure Ronaldo doesn't go either." Ferguson retained the air of a man who expects to get his own way, even in a final with Barcelona.