Barcelona still the benchmark

Despite missing out on La Liga and the Champions League last season, Barcelona remain the team to beat in Mike Phelan's eyes.

The Catalan giants are expected to feature the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta in their star-studded line-up in Gothenburg with the pass masters posing an awesome threat to any side. After losing to Barca in both the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals, everybody at United is aware that the challenge is to close the gap on the Camp Nou outfit.

"I think there is a gap there," conceded assistant manager Phelan. "But there's a gap for a lot of teams, not just United.

"Barcelona have been exceptional - they've combined experience and youth and maintained success. The challenge for us is to compete. It will take time but we're not that far away. We've been in three European finals and we've won one. Now we're hungry to continue that. Barcelona are the ones to catch."

Phelan is looking forward to a high-profile friendly and having Sir Alex Ferguson back alongside him in the dug-out after the boss missed the draw against Valerenga.

"It's a great game to have," he added on MUTV. "It's unusual to have it in another country but that's the way it's worked out. I hope we can put a spectacle on for the supporters who are turning up. The manager will be back for the game. He's travelling over and will be with the team soon and ready for the Barcelona game."

Sir Alex's central concern

Sir Alex Ferguson has some concern over the heart of his defence ahead of the Barclays Premier League opener at Everton.

Nemanja Vidic continued his welcome return from a long lay-off with a half against Barcelona in Gothenburg while Rio Ferdinand played most of the game. However, the manager feels Jonny Evans will lose his race to be fit in time for Goodison, Phil Jones has picked up an injury and Chris Smalling is out for some time following an operation.

It means midfielder Michael Carrick could emerge as emergency cover as he again filled in at the back during the goalless draw on Wednesday night.

"Evans is recovering from an operation," stated Sir Alex. "Smalling is out for three months. Jones got a muscle injury in his back and was sent home from Norway.

"So the area we're concerned about is centre-back. Evans won't be ready for the start of the season. He won't be far away but he won't be ready.

"Smalling is out and I can't give you an update with Jones because we've not fully diagnosed that. But Michael Carrick was absolutely brilliant [in Sweden] with his passing the ball and his interceptions. He was fantastic."

Wootton's Barcelona thrill

Scott Wootton was delighted with the experience of playing against Barcelona in the goalless draw on the DHL tour.

The defender came on for Rio Ferdinand towards the end of the Gothenburg friendly and, although Barca won a penalty shoot-out, he was clearly thrilled to be competing against some of the Catalan club's top stars in the closing stages.

"They're a great team so it was always going to be a great match to come on in," he told MUTV. "It's a fantastic experience.

"They have so many great players, you can see that from what they've won over the last few years, so it was a great side to test myself against.

"I already knew they were a great side but to see it live from the bench and then on the pitch just emphasises how good they are with their one-touch and two-touch passing. It's out of this world."

Ryan hopes for Posh reunion

Ryan Tunnicliffe admits he is relishing the prospect of facing Peterborough on Friday after representing the Championship club during a loan spell last season.

The promising midfielder feels he owes a debt of gratitude to Posh for helping him mature on and off the field and pushing him closer towards his ultimate goal of making his first-team debut for United.

After appearing on the DHL tour, he is striving to finish the pre-season on a high and keep himself in Sir Alex Ferguson's thoughts ahead of the new Barclays Premier League campaign.

"I'd love to play in this one," he told ManUtd.com. "I got on well with everyone and would love to see them all down there. I was there for eight months and made a lot of good friends that I still talk to now."

It was a culture shock for the teenager to head south and live away from home whilst also trying to deal with integrating into Darren Ferguson's squad.

"I was living on my own down there and had to do my own washing and cleaning, so that was one side of it!" he explained. "I had just come straight from the youth team and wasn't really my own man so I had to make that transition and it helped me mature on and off the pitch as well.

"It just helps all round and in general terms. Being on the pitch, you get experience but I didn't start as many games as I wanted. Yet I was playing men's football which is about three points on a Saturday and not just about development. I learnt a lot and became a man, I think."

The rigours of league football helped Tunnicliffe hone his game as he is renowned for his tough tackling in the midfield.

"I'm alright on the physical side but there are a lot of bigger players than me in that league," he explained. "So you can be bigger, stronger and run for longer but, if you've got a skilful player who can do that as well, I think he's going to come out on top every time. It was good to go down there."

"It was physical. To be fair, it was a lot more physical than the Reserves games I played in and obviously the youth team too."

Match report:

http://www.manutd.com/en/Tour2012Tea...rg-sweden.aspx

I missed it yesterday due to my other plans but heard we lost on penalties.

Check your PMs.

Son they have said for 2 months now there after two more player's and it is quite obvious that Moira and RVP were the two players in question. Sadly Fergie has gone like Wenger with his transfer policy last year(Refusing the pay the money to bring in much needed top quality players) and is too stubborn to bring in a much needed CM

A deal had been agreed between United, Sao Paulo and Moura. He chose PSG.

Firstly thank **** for that 30 mil for another winger is a fuken joke

Secondly my point still stands he and RVP were the two signings they were on about as usual no mention buying a centre mid

I dont reckon much to the new muffc home kit.

http://www.hammockheaven.co.uk/image...ly_detail.jpeg

A central midfielder has been mentioned throughout the summer. I believe Moura can play in the centre.
If Anderson could stay fit, and gain consistency we'd be sorted in the centre. I know Kagawa plays in the hole but perhaps he may play in the centre.

Moura is winger and if we planned on converting him into a attacking CM we might aswell just play Nani there as he has played there for Portugal before and would have SAVED 30MIL

For once i agree with you i am one of the few who rate Ando highly but the problem is Fergie tries to use him as a containing mid when he is an attcking player

I can tell you now Kagawa cannot play in a 2 man midfield which is the formation we like to play.

Don't know if you have been watching pre-season but like i said last season Petrucci is already more talented then our other cm's and needs major football this year or we will lose him also

I've been watching pre-season. I liked the look of Lingard tbh. Petrucci, I've heard a lot about him but haven't seen him much.

At the start of last season Cleverley looked like he could well take the league by storm like Wilshere did the season before. However, that fat ***** Kevin Davies wrecked his season.

TBH i just want us to play good football win or lose next season i can honestly say i have not enjoyed the football we play since Ronaldo left

I have also watch Patrice closely in Pre-season and he IS STILL STINKING up the place i thought the benching he recieved in the Euro's might have helped him but sadly no. I actually saw Rio shouting him down at least 4 times in the Barca game

We played excellent football at the start of last season.

Remember this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhLRF...eature=related

Cleverley and Kagawa are the central midfield for tonight's match, LK.

Couple of my thoughts on the game

Kagawa will be signing of the year his understanding with Rooney already looks immense but please don't waste him as a cm

Ando and Clev is defo the way forward if we play a 2 in the middle our general play is so much greater with them 2. However on tough away games i would play the 3 with Carrick

final note really enjoyed the football however young is not United quality bench player no more

Anderson and Cleverley is risky though. That'd mean playing without a recognised defensive midfielder.

Away from home maybe but at home we need to start asserting our dominance has been to passive and lackluster for a good time now

I just hope Anderson can finally stay fit for a season and fulfil his potential. He had a great first season but has been unable to live upto that since. Good goal tonight though.

I LOVE UTD AS MUCH AS I LOVE DEANA.................

Hope we hurry up and get RVP signed up before the everton game

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...rsenal?cc=5739

Great news!!!

That's more like it. :hugesmile:

Nice edit :p

Should I get my shirt printed with champions 20 on the back? Or is it slightly early? :p

did anyone see Pogba run the show for juve vs Milan yesterday i told you at the time it was one of fergies poorest decisions ever