“I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me” - Ferdinand explains how Busquets mocked him during Manchester United vs Barcelona

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has spoken about his experience playing against Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets during the UEFA Champions League final of 2011. The pair of European giants locked horns at Wembley, with Barcelona claiming the win for the second time in three years.

The amount of control exerted by the Spanish giants in the game was due, in part, to the efficiency of its midfield in possession. The trio of Sergio Busquets, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta effectively ran the game from midfield, steering their team to victory in London.

Rio Ferdinand was an unwilling participant in what was almost a training game for Barcelona, and he recollects having a conversation with Busquets during the game. Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, he praised the Spanish midfielder and revealed how he mocked him in the game:

“We played [against Busquets and Barcelona] at Wembley, got absolutely destroyed. [It was] the Champions League final, [got our] pants pulled down. We’re chasing the game, I think it was 2-1 at the time."

“During the closing minutes of the game, the ball went out and Busquets is wasting time with the ball. I ran to him and asked him to give me the ball and he pulled the ball away and went, ‘You, Vidic, boom, boom, boom!’, about our long balls. I wanted the ground to just open up and swallow me. It was so dismissive. What a player. He does everything. Position, spaces, weight of pass and if you press him, his ability to get out of it was just wow."

Barcelona were the best side in Europe for much of the late 2000s and early 2010s, particularly after coming under the management of Pep Guardiola. The Spanish side defeated Manchester United in the Champions League final in 2009, but the English side found them much better and more complete when they faced in the 2011 final.

Guardiola's side were comfortably better than their English counterparts and showed it over 90 minutes at Wembley. They dominated the game and deservedly emerged with a 3-1 win thanks to goals from Lionel Messi, David Villa, and Pedro.

Manchester United have not won the competition or reached the final since then, and La Blaugrana have won it just once, in 2015.

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Manchester United register interest in Barcelona target - Reports

Manchester United have become the latest side to be linked with a move for PSG star Xavi Simons, joining Barcelona in the race for the midfielder. The Sun has revealed that the Red Devils are keen on the youngster after a strong showing at Euro 2024.

Simons spent the 2023-24 season on loan at RB Leipzig after joining PSG for £5 million, and he immediately became a star in Germany. His contribution of 10 goals in 43 appearances for the German side, and a goal and three assists at Euro 2024 have put him on many sides' shopping lists.

Barcelona were keen on a loan move for the youngster, but the trail has gone cold in recent weeks. Manchester United are now keen to sign him on loan with an option to buy for around £70 million after he told PSG he wants to leave.

Erik ten Hag's side have already reportedly agreed on a deal for fellow Dutchman Joshua Zirkzee and have a move for Matthijs de Ligt in the works. The addition of Simons to the Manchester United squad will significantly improve their quality given the youngster's versatility.