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BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

My head says Barca, but you doubt Fergie at your peril

Surely no-one can be no left doubting Barcelona’s world football supremacy.To beat their archrivals Real Madrid 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-final of the Champions League the biggest stage in domestic football is no mean feat.Personally, there’s no other team in world football I’d rather watch; they play the game the way it should be played they’re a real treat to watch at the moment.I bet their coach Pep Guardiola is still pinching himself.Sure, he’s been the beneficiary of all the good work carried out by his predecessors, such as Johan Cruyff, Marinus Michels and Frank Rijkaard; but credit to Guardiola, he’s come in and put his spin on the Barcelona trophy-winning machine.Since taking the reins at the Nou Camp he’s won a wealth trophies: Two La Liga’s, the Copa del Rey; the Champions League, the Spanish Super Cup; the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA World Club Cup.The way things are shaping up it looks as though they are on track to add another La Liga and the Champions League to their already well-stocked trophy cabinet.I’m sure Manchester United’s incredibly successful manager Alex Ferguson would disagree with me, though. Like Guardiola, Fergie has an unwavering belief in himself and his players, and will fancy United’s chances at Wembley on May 28.But if United are to pull of a surprise win, then they will have to figure out how to stop the magical Lionel Messi.Messi has scored something like 53 goals in 52 games this season which is absolutely incredible. He possess what can only be described as a God-given talent; an ability which simply cannot be coached.Although my heart, and my head, says it’s Barca’s title, I cannot rule out United. I’m just not that foolish. Any team coached by Ferguson is not to be underestimated; he’s the best motivator in the history of the game.People should know by now that you doubt the man at your peril. I saw United’s 4-1 win over Shalke this week and I have to say Fergie’s side looked lively, hungry and had an edge about them.In the last four years, United have reached the European Cup final on three occasions. That’s a staggering statistic; to be that consistent over a period of time is the acid test for all great teams.They’ll have to track back; they’ll have to defend; they’ll have to work their socks off to even get the ball off Barca who can pass it around all day. Barca themselves have an incredible work rate; when they lose the ball they hunt it down in packs until they retrieve it.I don’t think playing at Wembley will be a much of a factor, to be honest. It certainly won’t faze Barca’s players who have played in World Cups and European Cup finals before.Before that mouth-watering clash, United have the no-small task of facing Chelsea, their main title challengers. I’m thrilled the Blues have closed the gap because all football fans love to see a grandstand finish to Premier League season.My only hope is that my beloved West Ham can reverse their struggling fortunes. If I was a little bit younger I’d pull my boots back on and give them a helping hand.