Manchester United and Barcelona meet at Wembley on Saturday to battle it out for the mantle of the best side in European club football. Dominant in their domestic leagues, sides laden with international superstars and a track record of success in the competition, the pair have been at the pinnacle for the last decade. A scintillating tie awaits; here are the key statistics that may give an insight into the eventual winners.
Previous Meetings
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have only beaten the Catalans once in the tournament’s history, a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in the semi final second leg in the English club’s triumphant 2007/08 campaign. The Spanish side can boast two wins over the Manchester club, with a 4-0 demolition at the Camp Nou in the group stages of the 1994/95 season being complimented by their 2-0 victory in the final in Rome two years ago. The results in full:
- 2008/09 Final: FCB 2-0 MU
- 2007/08 Semifinal: FCB 0-0 MU, MU 1-0 FCB
- 1998/99 Group D: MU 3-3 FCB, FCB 3-3 MU
- 1994/95 Group A: MU 2-2 FCB, FCB 4-0 MU
Performance this season
Both sides have identical records in their respective group stages; four wins and two draws from six games. United are unbeaten in their journey to the final, with Barca only suffering defeat at the hands of Arsenal, 2-1 at the Emirates in the last 16. The Spaniards have significantly outscored Saturday’s opponents, by nine goals, but United have a stingier defence, only letting in four goals all season.
- Barcelona – played 12, won 8, drawn 3, lost 1, goals scored 27, goals conceded 8
- Man United – played 12, won 9, drawn 3, lost 0, goals scored 18, goals conceded 4
Top Scorers this season
The Blaugrana have the tournament top goalscorer in the form of Lionel Messi in their ranks, who has bagged 11 goals in 12 games, three more than closest rivals Samuel Eto’o, Mario Gomez and Cleo, who managed 8 strikes each before their sides were eliminated. United’s top goalscorer is Mexican Javier ‘Chicarito’ Hernandez, who has found the back of the net four times in eight games.
- Barcelona – Lionel Messi – 12 games, 11 goals, 957 minutes played
- Man United – Javier Hernandez – 8 games, 4 goals, 460 minutes played.
Both Ryan Giggs and Andres Iniesta have four assists in this season’s tournament, two behind this campaign’s top provider Mesut Ozil, who has set up six Real Madrid goals.
All time Top Scorers
In the competition history, the Argentinian is Barcelona’s all time top scorer, whilst United’s Giggs is equal with Denis Law in second place as the English side’s all time top European goalgetter
- Barcelona all time top European goalscorers – 1. Messi (36, 2004-present) 2. Rivaldo (25, 1997-2002) 3. Patrick Kluivert (21, 1998-2004)
- Man United all time top European goalscorers – 1. Ruud van Nistelrooy (38, 2001-2006) 2. Denis Law (28, 1962-1973) 3. Ryan Giggs (28, 1991-present)
Experience
Giggs also tops the list of European appearances amongst the current crop of players, with 139 outings for the Reds in Europe, ten more than Paul Scholes and four behind competition all-time leader Raul. Barcelona’s most experienced player in Europe is Xavi, with 129 games.
- Barcelona – 1. Xavi (129 games), 2. Carles Puyol (114 games), 3. Victor Valdes (86 games)
- Man United – 1. Ryan Giggs (139 games), 2. Paul Scholes (129 games), 3. Gary Neville (117 games)
From the 2008/09 final, Barcelona have seven of the starting XI available to feature in this final, and eleven of the match day squad still at the club. United have ten of the same starting line-up from the 2-0 defeat two seasons back, with an impressive 16 of the 18 man matchday squad still at the club.
Going all the way back to the 1994/95 season meetings between the sides, Giggs and Barca coach Pep Guardiola both featured in both games.
European Honours
Both clubs have won the tournament on three occasions, but stand considerably behind all time top tournament victors Real Madrid, who have prevailed on nine occasions. The Catalans have been beaten in the final more times, with United’s sole final defeat against Barcelona two seasons ago.
Barcelona
Winners – 1991/92, 2005/06, 2008/09
Runners Up – 1960/61, 1985/86, 1993/94
Man United
Winners – 1967/68, 1998/99, 2007/08
Runners Up – 2008/09
Prize Money and Financial Reward
This year’s winners will receive €9 million, with €5.6 million for the runners-up. UEFA pay the clubs by progression through each stage, €800,000 for a win and €400,000 for a draw. The total financial reward will be made up of performance-related payments, money from the television market pool and matchday revenue.
Barcelona will make €55.5m if they triumph at Wembley; €29.7m for their results and participation in the tournament and €25.8 from TV rights.
United are in line to receive €56.3m if they beat Barcelona in the final; €30.5m from UEFA for the games they have played and their performances and €25.8 from TV rights.
Financial Backing
In the 2011 Forbes Richlist, Manchester United top the list of wealthiest clubs in world football, whilst Barcelona are back in fifth, behind Real Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern Munich. The Catalans have a higher revenue than the English side however – as it is an American study all figures are in US dollars
- Manchester United – Value $1,864 million, 2% increase on last year, $428 million revenue
- Barcelona – Value $975 million, 2% decrease on last year, $488 million revenue
In terms of redistributing this wealth back to the players, Barcelona pay their stars considerably more than United, with the La Liga champions the highest paying employers in world football; the Premier League champions are back in 8th in the global game.
- Barcelona – Average Weekly Salary per player – $152,130
- Man United – Average Weekly Salary per player – $98,196
So there you have it, both sides are global leaders both on and off the pitch which should make for a mouth watering finale. A potent Spanish attack against a regimented English defence, a midfield battle between some the tournaments most experienced players and both sides looking for a double; roll on Saturday.
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