There are new favorites for the big one, and Sir Alex is on the brink of making yet more history, believes Goal.com's Sulmaan Ahmad.
May 5, 2009 7:21:21 PM
The boos reverberating around the Emirates with about an hour played were unrelenting, and all Edwin van der Sar could muster up was a shrug and a look of bewilderment. He had just moved the ball from one side of his area to the other to take his goal kick.
Arsenal fans thought he was time-wasting, but maybe he was just a little bored. Maybe he wanted to feel more involved in the victory. When did anyone ever consider his feelings? Up until that point, he had done next to nothing, and indeed he made just one remotely difficult save throughout the two legs, that being from Robin van Persie's effort ten or so minutes later.
It was a stroll. It was like the entire United XI played the game on motorized scooters as modeled by grandparents. They cut through Arsenal with such ease at the decisive moments and spent the rest of the two legs completely unruffled, whether in possession or not, it didn't matter. They were comfortable, while Arsenal only enjoyed a similar luxury as long as United let them.
To call it men against boys would be one thing (and Patrice Evra did make something of a convincing argument). Still fresh in the memory to many will be Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge's accusations that Arsene Wenger's transfer policy is tantamount to "child trafficking", this bordered more in the abuse category.
Kieran Gibbs will be haunted by his slip early on that gifted United the lead and all the initiative. But as if to show age was no obstacle, the youngest Gunner's mistake was shortly followed by one from their elder statesman, goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, who was beaten at his near post by a Cristiano Ronaldo rocket.
United fans had already started booking their flights to Rome, the home fans began trickling out of a silenced stadium. The gulf in class became all too real for some to handle; this is not a bad Arsenal side, but certainly one that has been without a trophy for four seasons - not one of the 'big two' for six - and of course, still without their first ever Champions League title.
The fact Andrey Arshavin was able to waltz into the side, mid-season and in a completely new environment, and still be their star player puts in black and white the difference between potential and pure class.
United weren't found wanting in that department whatsoever. This is a team with an immaculate balance and enviable adaptability courtesy of half a dozen players who can ply their trade all over the park. Wenger scouts particular talents, Sir Alex, meanwhile, has moulded several nearly-men into key components of this world-beating squad.
Their threat on the counterattack remains the best in world football - perfectly illustrated by the classic Rooney-Ronaldo combo for the third goal - and defending has once again, following a brief, Fernando Torres-inspired blip, been made to look effortless.
Missing for Man United in the final will be Darren Fletcher, the big-game specialist who has come into his own this season, but picked up an unfortunate and perhaps unjust red card for a tackle on Cesc Fabregas in the area. This was also the only way Arsenal were ever going to score a goal, with Van Persie obliging - in remarkable, lightspeed style - from the spot.
But besides him, and season-long casualty Owen Hargreaves, it will be a full complement of Red Devils in Rome. Rio and Vidic back to their best, a conveyor belt of interchangeable, dependable midfielders, Rooney in the form of his life and crucially, a certain Ronaldo running the rule over every big game he can get his hands on. Two goals and an assist today playing as the central striker - the Man of the Match - there is no stopping him, and there may be no stopping United.
Barcelona may just have been usurped as tournament favorites. While tonight was just one game, and man-for-man the Catalans remain superior on paper, this tie has shown the width, depth and breadth of United's setup. Then factor in their three for three record in European Cup finals and this is a side that could certainly edge the odds regardless of their opposition in the Stadio Olimpico.
And putting teams aside, if one manager deserves to be the first to win back-to-back Champions League titles, few could legitimately argue against Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com
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