Earlier this season, Didier Deschamps described the Manchester United team his Marseilles charges were about to face as lacking the "fantasy" that ran through many of Sir Alex Ferguson's previous sides.
It could be argued that this was a view shared by Wayne Rooney, when, in October last year, he asked for a transfer away from the club, citing the weakness of the squad, and the club's lack of ambition to make marquee signings, as motivating factors.
Most observers would agree that, since the departure of Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez - in the summer that followed their humbling at the hands of Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League final - United have not bought, or indeed developed, any truly world class players.
In the same period Barcelona have, at the very least, consolidated what they had. With a few additions, notably David Villa, a host of world cup winners in the squad and the extraordinary talents of Messi even more to the fore - a player now mentioned in the same breathe as Pele, Maradona and Cryuff but without the caveats - some have begun to wonder if this might be the greatest club side in the history of the game.
The logical conclusion, therefore, is that United are weaker than in 2009, whereas Barcelona are, if anything, even stronger. So Barcelona, who won the 2009 final with some ease, will surely win the 2011 trophy without breaking sweat.
Right?
Well, probably. But, strange as it may sound, I would argue that, despite the lack of "fantasy," this United side are more likely to upset Barcelona on Saturday than the team of 2009.
In the 2009 final, Cristiano Ronaldo often appeared to be trying to win the game by himself. He has never been interested in tracking back or adhering to tactical plans. In the Premier League, Ronaldo played as a winger but in Europe, in the bigger games, he played up front: a clear indication that Ferguson could not trust him to play with any kind of responsibility. Leaving Ronaldo out of a game like that would be unthinkable, so, in part, Ferguson had to compromise his tactics to incorporate the prancing Portuguese.
This time things will be different. United have a team who are incredibly diligent, with high work rates, capable of playing unselfishly for the team, and tactically disciplined. The two players who perhaps don't fit this mould are Nani and Berbatov and that is why they will almost certainly be on the bench. Ferguson will be able to unleash his "defensive forwards" Park and Valencia - and to some extent Hernandez and Rooney - on Barcelona's back four and midfield. Most agree that a pressing game is vital to disrupting the "carousel," and these four will hustle and harry until their legs give out.
This of course assumes that United will play the 4-4-1-1 formation that has served them well in recent weeks. If Ferguson chooses to leave Hernandez on the bench and plays Rooney as a lone striker then this will surely see the inclusion of Darren Fletcher.
Fletcher, who could be seen as the definition of a player that lacks "fantasy," was badly missed by United in 2009, when he was suspended following an unjust red card in the semi final. His workmanlike approach to the game, tenacious tackling, and tactical awareness mean that he would be right at home in this 2011 United side, and could prove to be Fergie's trump card.
Having said that, his lack of match fitness may count against him. (Have you seen him since he came back from his virus? He looks wizened, reanimated: like something out of Dawn of the Dead.)
So, from a United perspective, I do think there are reasons to be cautiously optimistic: which is really the only brand of optimism I indulge in.
Rooney will play centrally, whatever the formation, where he can affect the game far more than when he is stuck out on the left - as he was in 09 - and he really has been in scintillating form in the last few weeks of the season.
Also, I really think that player alleged by an MP to be "The Unnamed Footballer At The Centre Of The Imogen Thomas/Twitter Scandal" playing in a central midfield role gives United the creativity and guile they have been lacking since Paul Scholes' little legs ginger gnome legs started to give out. He could be the spark, the catalyst.
Unfortunately, for United, Barcelona have a whole team of sparks and catalysts.
If I'm honest, despite my contention that they have a better chance than in 09, I don't think United will win on Saturday. They would need to be at their best and for Barcelona to be closer to their worst.
But Arsenal beat Barcelona this season. And they finished fourth in the league. A league United won by nine points. So there's hope.
A sliver of hope.
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