Four of Barcelona’s star men say that Manchester United are a bigger threat without Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo, who is now part of the Real Madrid side that Barca left soundly in their wake at home and abroad in Europe this term, was the meagre best of a bad lot when United went down 2-0 to Barca in the Champions League final two years ago.
That is not saying much though given how United, after briefly going at the Catalan side, were passed completely out of the game in the Rome final.
Now the sides will meet again at Wembley on Saturday and, though United can no longer call on the glut of goals that the Portuguese was still providing two years back, Andres Iniesta thinks the side that have just regained the Premier League crown are a stronger unit than that which Barca faced in 2009.
"They have grown as a team," the Spanish midfield ace said. "They are dominating in England and now they are fighting for the Champions League.
"Cristiano Ronaldo has left, but apart from that I don't think they have made big changes and they are always competitive."
Iniesta’s midfield colleague Xavi agreed, saying: “Their team isn't as direct as before; they like to have the ball. I don't know if that's because of Cristiano Ronaldo or not, but they move around as a unit now."
Defender Dani Alves added: "This Manchester United team is much more unpredictable without Cristiano Ronaldo.
"They have formed a more balanced group and they are stronger than they were two years ago."
David Villa only joined Barca last summer so was not part of the side that won the 2009 Champions League, but he too remarked on United’s threat as a team post-Ronaldo, adding: "Cristiano Ronaldo's departure has liberated them.
"Many great players come and go and that has allowed them to remain at the top for so long."