Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand explained how Ole Solskjaer’s men can possibly stop Lionel Messi on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils are hosting Barcelona for the opening leg and there is a very distinct possibility of the 5-time Balon d’Or winner bending the opposition at his will, as he has done so many times against English sides.
Ferdinand, who has faced Messi previously during the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals said, “Barca have a certain way of playing which is possession-based football and they press you when they haven’t got the ball, so they (United) have got to be very mindful of that.
“But it will come down to the little man, Messi. How do they stop him and combat him? They can’t afford to give him space. If they give him space to turn and front up he’s going to cause huge problems.
“What the players have to do is make sure they’re not in awe of him, he’s a superstar, a legend, one of the best to ever play the game but they’ve got to take that out of their thinking before the game and that’s half the job.
“Half the battle is the mental battle before the game if they can sort that out. I’m sure Ole will have a plan for him (Messi) so he won’t be able to play 1v1 during the whole game.
“Ole has to be thinking about not conceding and hopefully nicking a goal and taking it to the Nou Camp and having something to play for.”
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