Henry - Barca to match United

Striker tips Catalans to push Champions League favourites

Last updated: 10th April 2008

Henry - Barca to match United

Henry: Out to silence Manchester United

This is a big game and we are going to fight to be in the final.

Thierry Henry
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Barcelona striker Thierry Henry says Manchester United cannot be considered favourites when the two teams go head to head in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals later this month.

Following his team's win over Schalke, Henry conceded that United are Europe's form team at the moment.

"This is a game to get excited about, but we will have to play well because we will be up against a team who are playing incredibly. They are on great form," he said.

However, the former Arsenal striker says the English champions will not go into the tie as favourites.

"People will say they are favourites but nobody can really know," he said.

Former Arsenal skipper Henry has faced United on numerous occasions in England and says his side know what to expect from the Red Devils.

"They are a team in first place in their league and Cristiano Ronaldo is having an incredible season, so we know them pretty well. They won't be able to surprise us," he said.

The Frenchman denied he would be particularly motivated against one of his former club's biggest rivals and claimed this match will be very different to any Arsenal-Manchester United match.

Disappointments

"There is none of that (ill-feeling). An Arsenal-Manchester United match is another thing, but this is a big game and we are going to fight to be in the final," he said.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard also believes there will be no favourites for the semi-final clash.

"I never talk about favourites. I am happy to play these two games, I am sure they are too. I will not talk about favourites, but they will be two great games and we'll see what happens," he said.

Teenager Giovani Dos Santos has backed Barcelona can beat United to qualify for a second Champions League final in three seasons.

"We have shown we are a great team and we can definitely win the tie," he said.

Meanwhile, Barca President Joan Laporta hopes the club's fans will put recent disappointments behind them and enjoy the team's passage to the Champions League semi-finals.

"This is a moment to enjoy and a time for hope. It (the United tie) will be a great semi-final and one for the fans to enjoy," he said.

Comments (16)

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Ahmed Mohamed says...

I think Barcelona are unfortunately too weak to beat Utd, yet we are always surprised in this world of Surprising football..so i expect anything to happen, i just hope Barca beats Utd, and gets to meet Chelsea in the final...ofcourse thats another surprise that'l happen, an even greater surprise will be the fact that Avram Grant will win the Champions' league...a surprise i would soo wish to happen, as im a chelsea fan (not a glory hunter, not a recent supporter,not an Abramovich-arrival intiaited fan, sadly i admit most chelsea fans r) an old original chelsea fan, but as mush as i would love to win the CL, im afraid that would lower the possibilities of getting a new manager..People would say hes kind of accomplishing enough so far, well he isnt, the players are, and Tin Kate, and Mourinho's same style pf play (ironically the reason why Abramovich asked for Mourinho's resig.).. As to Henri's reaction, we all now he is the most respectful, and to have responded in such a way, we all know that he was being insualted at..so get a life, ur either an "arsenal-supporter" (constantly jealously criticinzing his performance, ofcouse he cant be the same henri, he isnt the same age, nor playing at the same postion, you ppl should think before u talk) or an Arsenal hater (been hating him since he was always the best in the Premier.) to insault/criticize Henri..

Posted 00:51 11th April 2008

James Nappin says...

So you (Lee Adams) think Barcelona will beat Man United, and Liverpool can get past Chelsea and beat Barca in the final? Do you know anything about football at all or what? Did you see United batter Liverpool recently? Or the fact Fernando Torres was never that good for Atletico Madrid when facing the better teams in Spain, even if he has had awesome season with Liverpool. so if Liverpool sumhow manage to beat Chelsea and Bacra beat United, Barca would go on to win the competition. I still think it will be a Chelsea Man United final though

Posted 23:10 10th April 2008

Brian Beetson says...

If United's defence is shored-up, especially with the return of Vidic, they will win the deciding battle at which both teams excel - the counter attack. Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez will prove to be just too much for them!

Posted 22:31 10th April 2008

Taimoor Zaheer says...

i think it is going to be a tough match. as everytrhing is going to be very tense, it will be hard to decide which team will come out victorious. although Barca haven't had a very good form recently, all the pressure might boost them up a bit. On the other hand, United are hungry for the CL and to atleast get a double as the treble slipped out of their hands. United have got a very good chance though. Barca might just slip and lose but u can't guess whether that'll happen. Final outcome: Liverpool v Man U in the final.

Posted 22:18 10th April 2008

Andrew Smith says...

i think that Man Utd will just out play Barca in the midfield aspect of the game. they are so deep in that position, not to mention they just got back gary neville from injury.he adds a big boost to their game. and having cristiano ronaldo is strong factor especially they way he's playing now he's unstoppable

Posted 22:06 10th April 2008

James Sims says...

Go on Barca beat Man Utd to make it easier for us to win the CL because what ever happens it may be harder against Man Utd but Liverpool will win it look at how we took Arsenal apart at anfield we'll definitely do it to Man Utd cause we are so much different in Europe Barca personally don't stand a chance with Torres and Gerrard playing the way they have been together Man Utd 0-1 Barcelona then in the Final Liverpool 3-1 Barcelona Come On you Reds

Posted 21:20 10th April 2008

Mohammad Malik says...

this will be a good game of football but barca are not in form. i think united will take them out if the united defence performs as it has been.

Posted 11:52 10th April 2008

Michael Holdford says...

Oh my. If you think that that picture of Thierry Henry above is disrespectful, you must have been paying no attention to the stick he was getting from opposing fans. Barcelona will have to much for United at the Nou Camp, and will nick an away goal at Old Trafford. I think once again its Barcelonas year for the Champions League.

Posted 11:36 10th April 2008

Mike Fredricks says...

I am actually quite scared about facing Barca in the semi final's...becuase its all about if's and but's in football these days!! I do hope we win.

Posted 11:32 10th April 2008

Alan Powderhill says...

This will be undoubtedly a great encounter, but for me United will be too strong. With Puyol missing, Ronaldinho out, possibly no Messi? As long as Man Utd keep disciplined they should be able to do it! Still Barca's unsung players like Xavi and Iniesta will have to be controlled, which should be easy for the likes of scholes, carrick, hargreaves or Anderson (who ever plays in centre mid?)

Posted 11:31 10th April 2008

Lee Adams says...

Man Utd can't do it against Barca, Rio and Vidic are no match for Messi (who came higher than Ronaldo in the World Player of the Year, Behind Kaka) and E'to, they simply have too much Class for Utd, okay I concede that they are in form but take away Ronaldo's and you have not got much! i think that Liverpool will beat chelsea and draw at Stamford bridge and will face Barca in the Final, and cannot say which team will win!! Just do not think that Utd have what it takes to reach another final (which they have not done all mellenium!!) But can see Rafa doing it again, and I am a Neutral!!!

Posted 11:29 10th April 2008

Sammy Shaheen says...

However much I wish Henry was speaking the truth, I have to concede that Manchester United will defeat Barcelona quite comfortably. My view isn't biased because I'm a Chelsea supporter and I would like Barcelona to knock out Manchester United, but taking a look at La Liga, Barca's defence has been poor and they are yet another example that Galactico squads do not work. They would have to be VERY lucky to defeat United, and it is still possible. Whatever happens it will surely be a great fixture, a match-up that I have been hoping for for ages.

Posted 11:24 10th April 2008

Mark Stevens says...

The main and interesting aspect about all this, is that barcelona are already running the quotes in the press the same night they qualify (not convincingly)!! To me this shows that barca are scared of United, knowing what we can do to them and know the task before them!! Have united commented yet..no..we will simply get on with it. Im sure there will be comments made closer to the game by both teams but the fact that barca have made first comments shows they are worried. They have fanctasic players but the advantage will be that Puyol is out, Henry does not seem to be the player he once was (and rio always gets the best of him) and that ronaldinio is out. The only player united should fear is Messi if he gets fit and Eto! We will have Vidic and Rio hopefully so i really dont have any worries! To wrap things up, im tipping Liverpool to complete the trilogy of wins against Chelsea and it being a United vs Liverpool final...and what a way to celebrate 50 years of munich!!!!!!!

Posted 08:13 10th April 2008

K J says...

People talk abt Christiano Ronaldo being disrespectful to opposing teams..(lol)..when will Thierry Henry stop making this (in the pic above) FAMOUS gesture to FANS!!! This is utter disrespect, to say the least.

Posted 07:50 10th April 2008

Harrison Wandu says...

I expect united to go through to the finals with liverpool. United win the CL.

Posted 06:58 10th April 2008

Brian Fernandes says...

For me now the most anticipated match of the season in all leagues.. WOW!!! all amazing stars will be lined up.. but hoping for the best team both home and away to win..

Posted 06:35 10th April 2008
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