Wenger backing United to surprise Barcelona

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Manchester United have a good chance of upsetting Barcelona in this season’s Champions League final.

This season’s champions of Spain and England will be brought together at Wembley this weekend, with Pep Guardiola’s side being massive favourites.

But, as someone who’s beaten the Catalan giants this season, Wenger thinks United can provide an element of surprise to their play, while Barca always stick to their style, and are looking tired at the end of this season.

“I believe against Barcelona, from what I have seen in the last three weeks, there is never a better moment to win it against them,” said the boss.

“They look quite exhausted and Manchester United look sharp physically. In the last three or four games [Barcelona have looked tired], for me, and it takes three weeks to recover physically. 

“I am not sure whether Barcelona have enough time to recover. They look on their knees so I give Manchester United a good chance.

“You know Barcelona will have the ball for 70 per cent of the time and Manchester United will have to be very efficient for the 30 per cent of the time they have the ball. No matter what kind of tactics they decide.”

Alex Ferguson’s team were easily beaten when these two teams last contested the final in 2009, but Wenger believes his old rival will have learned from some of the mistakes he made that day. 

He added: “I have an instinctive feeling that Manchester United will change completely their style against them, this time. I think they will go for a rougher midfield, a more direct display than they did in Rome.

“I don’t know what they will decide, that is the uncertainty they have but you know how Barcelona will play. We don’t know yet how Manchester will play.”

By MARK BRUS

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Mark Brus

I'm 23-years-old and currently living in Bristol, studying to be a journalist. I've been hooked on Arsenal since I was about 10, and as much as I sometimes wish I could stop, I can't give them up. Favourite player of all time would have to be Patrick Vieira for the sheer passion with which he played the game.

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