- Man United vs Barcelona Champions League clash will see Messi returns to Old Trafford
- The 31-year-old was a thorn in the flesh of the Red Devils when Barca won the European title in 2009 and 2011
- Meanwhile, Ferguson believes Chris Smalling has the quality to stop Messi from punishing the Red Devils
Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Chris Smalling can stop Lionel Messi from punishing the Premier League side in their Champions League quarterfinal clash.
The Red Devils welcome Barcelona to Old Trafford on Wednesday, April 10 for the first leg of their UCL last eight fixtures, with the concluding part set for the Camp Nou next week in Spain.
However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men will have the Blaugrana's captain to deal with, having punished them in their last two competitive encounters in 2009 and 11.
Messi scored on both occasions that that saw the Spanish League giants lift the European title twice within three years.
Ferguson, according to SunSport, Ferguson has identified Smalling as the only player who can frustrate the 31-year-old from putting up an impressive performance in the game.
Fergie wrote in his 2013 autobiography: "You need centre-backs who are prepared to drop right on top of Messi and not worry about what is happening behind them."
"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," the Scot added.
Messi comes into this game on the back of his 43 goals in 40 matches in all competitions so far this campaign, and he could increase the tally in this meeting.
Source: Tuko.co.ke
