Sir Alex Ferguson is undoubtedly one of the greatest managers of all time, but watching the 2009 Champions League final, between Manchester United and Barcelona, I couldn't help thinking that he got the tactics wrong.

Ferguson set his side out to punish Barcelona at the back, with an attacking 4-3-3 formation. It matched Barcelona man-for-man in midfield and, with the tempo and pace Manchester United started, it was obvious the fiery Scot was looking for an early goal. It was a gamble that back-fired, as Manchester's neglected midfield was over-run and Barca controlled the game from the ninth minute onwards.

I can understand why Ferguson set his side up in a 4-3-3 formation as having watched Barcelona's semi-final against Chelsea, that year, they looked vulnerable at the back – in fact they still do.

And in the first minute when Victor Valdes spilled Cristiano Ronaldo's 30-yard shot out to Park Ji-Sung, the Korean almost put the Reds into a 1-0 lead. Had that happened United might have been able to put men behind the ball, protect their lead and hit Barca on the counter. Ferguson tactics would have looked perfect, but they weren’t.

Ferguson may go with the same bold approach this time round, but I think he'd be wrong to do so. A 4-4-2 line-up with Hernandez playing as a striker and Rooney dropping deep would be a better option.

This is because the midfield battle is where Saturday's final will be won and lost.

Manchester United could do with an extra player in that area as almost all of Barcelona's play comes from back to front - you do not see them knocking the ball long to the diminutive Pedro very often.

In the 2009 final, Ferguson started with Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Anderson in midfield, with Park Ji-Sung in more advanced role.

I don't think there is much wrong with the personnel (even diehard Paul Scholes fans might agree that is inability to tackle properly should see him sit this one out).

However, Park should be dropped into the midfield, where he tireless work-ethic will help Manchester win the ball back in an important area. Rooney should also be encouraged to drop deep and occupy Sergio Busquets, nullifying his threat to pick the ball up in the Barca half and play the ball into Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

They key to all this is where Manchester United are going to win the ball off Barca. They have to face the fact that Barca will, more than likely, have a better than 50 per cent possession in Saturday's game. But one of Manchester United’s main strengths is their ability to break quickly.

If Manchester United can pick up the ball in the Barcelona midfield not only do they stop the ball getting to the Catalan's danger man Lionel Messi, but their attacks are starting from a more advanced position.

The trouble with the 2009 final is that too often Manchester United were winning the ball back deep in their own half, or launching attacks from goal kicks. One such example saw Patrice Evra gain possession in the left back area. A miss-placed pass then saw the ball fall to Xavi and within seconds he had crossed for Messi to head in goal number two.

If Barcelona are afforded the same time and room in Manchester United's half this time round then I can't see the Champions League trophy remaining in England after the final at Wembley.

What do you think? Should Ferguson start with an extra man in midfield? Who do you think he should pick to partner Rooney up front? Leave your comments below.

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