- Champions League quarterfinal clash will see Man United welcome Barcelona to Old Trafford
- Both sides will clash once more in this round of the competition in Spain next week
- Solskjaer is looking for tactics to stop Messi and he seems to have consulted Ferguson
Manchester United welcome Barcelona to Old Trafford for their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg clash on Wednesday, April 10.
The Spanish League giants have emerged victorious in their last two meetings in the competition, and the Red Devils are planning to avoid that from repeating itself.
Lionel Messi inspired the Catalans to victory on both occasions while Sir Alex Ferguson was still in charge of the team.
However, United new boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, seems to have consulted his former manager on how his side can stop the Argentine superstar.
The 31-year-old was was on target on both finals in 2009 (2-0) and 2011 (3-1) respectively as the Bluagrana lifted the title on the two occasions.
After retiring, Ferguson wrote in his book that the next time he had the opportunity to face Messi again, he will dedicate two defenders on the Barca star.
"You need centre-backs who are prepared to drop right on top of Messi and not worry about what is happening behind them," the Scot wrote in his 2013 autobiography.
"He will drift away to the side. That’s fine. He’s less of a threat on the side than he is through the centre.
"After the inquest I told myself: ‘When we play Barcelona next time in a Champions League final, I would have Jones and Smalling, or Smalling and Evans, right on top of Messi. I wasn’t going to let him torture us again," Fergie added.
Messi has been in top form for his club this campaign - scoring eight goals in six Champions League appearances so far this term.
He has also scored 33 goals and 12 assists in 29 La Liga matches - while two goals and two assists have been credited to him in the Copa Del Rey.
Man United defender Chris Smalling might however be considering taking advice from Ferguson's book, admitting he is looking forward to the encounter.
"I’ve not played against him competitively, personally, but in friendlies and pre-season we have," he said about Messi.
"I’m looking forward to playing against him and hopefully minimizing as many chances as possible, because we know what a world-class player he is," the Englishman added.
Source: Tuko.co.ke
