Road to Rome: Tip of the Spear

When playing against a team that's driven to attack, the first line of defense is the 2 strikers. Utd need someone who can track back regularly and have a very high work rate.
Who I'll Field: Tevez
Who Fergie'll most likely field: Berbatov

Why Tevez?

This match could well turn out to be the one that defines Tevez's 2 year (sob) sojourn at Utd. Ever since his outburst to the media, it's been a different Tevez on the field. He's quiet, he's all the more lethal in front of the goal and he's driven to prove a point Fergie. His popularity with teh fans has sky rocketed. If ever there was an occasion to justify his $30 million price tag, then it doesn't get bigger than this match His last match for Utd (as things stand), against a potential suitor should he leave and the biggest match of the season. Should he deliver the way the fans expect him to, Fergie'll be hard pressed to deny him a new contract.
He'll be running through the match, hassling defenders. He'll be instrumental in forcing Barca's defense minus 3 first choice players into mistakes that go hand in hand with inexperience. His spped and brute force will keep Puyol n Pique busy, opening the door for Rooney and Ronaldo to wreak havoc. Add to this his current form and there's no reason why he should be warming the bench.

Flip side:
If Fergie decides that a good work rate can be maintained with Rooney and Park and that a bit more of level headedness and creativity is required in front of the goal, then Berbatov is the clear favourite to start. But if the Tevez saga has another fairy tale chapter then this has to be it.

Why Berbatov?

The 'cool-dude' Bulgarian has been at the receiving end of some criticism for not living up to the cash that Utd splashed for him. But to his credit, he's chipped in with goals at crucial moments. He's pulled the strings from the edge of that box to set up more thna a few goals tis season. His class has never been in doubt; it's just that his nonchalant who-gives-a-s*** demeanor has made people question his commitment. I. for one, have never felt that he's anything below World class. He's intelligent, he knows where to be when the ball is played in, and he's exhibited that touch of class on enough occasions. While Tevez's energy is his strong point, Berba's better at catching the defense - specially, a weak defense - napping. Tevez can win a 100 challenges by doing the same move a 100 times. Berba on the other hand, can win a 100 challenges by pulling off a 100 different moves (A Nadal-Federer scenario, courtesy The Hindu). Whether he can outwit Puyol over 90 minutes remains to be seen, but I'll trust him to deliver.
Berba'll be keen to make up for the FA Cup semi final penalty cock-up. Poor chap, was taken to task for missing in a you-miss-I-hit situation. Rome presents the best opportunity to make up for it. Clearly, Fergie's choice to start.

Flip side:
Disappears from the scene once too often. His magic touches have a habit of going awry at crucial junctures. In a Cup final against Barca, it could prove costly.