Form, Temporary, Class, Permanent, etc.

You know how the saying goes.

Milan teased and tormented a pedestrian United side tonight. When it came down to the crunch, they basically lacked the requisite quality. United are back to where they were when they signed the Juan Sebastian Veron back in 2001, in an attempt to add some class and composure to their midfield because they were so often found wanting when faced up to the continent's best.

The hustle and bustle, and charge and energy of Rooneys and Ronaldos might be enough to storm the Premiership and the meeker of Europe's top contenders, but when faced by the true class of a possession game with high levels of technique, they can't contend. In 2000, Fernando Redondo pulled the strings and bewitched United's midfield into submission as Real Madrid marched on to win the cup. Three years later Zidane and Figo were also present as Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to knock them out. And in between there was their elimination by Deportivo La Coruna, when playmaker Juan Valeron was arguably the best in Europe.

Manchester United play swashbuckling, dynamic, entertaining, attacking football, but they most often pummell opponents into submission, as opposed to carving them open with guile and cunning. That's where they lose out -  they've never had that player in the middle of the park who can control games. Maybe Ferguson made the mistake of thinking that Carrick could/would be that player, but as fantastic of a passer as he is, he doesn't dominate teams with his movement of the ball.

And they were outclassed tonight. Gattuso ran and ran and ran and tackled and kicked everything and gave 100% to never let United's players rest. And in Kaka, Pirlo and Seedorf, Milan had three of Europe's most accomplished passers and thinkers.

Kaka has been a revelation this year with his finishing and general attacking play. He's been the best Brazilian for about a year and a half now, and hopefully he will receive his due credit and emerge from the shadow of Ronaldinho. Sometimes wide, sometimes central, he glides around the pitch, finding enormous amounts of space and plays the game with subtle endeavour using every possible angle to pass and move in. 

Pirlo was Italy's best player at the World Cup, and is one of the most consistent in Europe. He moves the ball perfectly at any distance to any player on the field, intelligently reads the game to fill in gaps, and most importantly he understands situations very well, and adapts to them.

As for Seedorf, he may be a bit older now, but he's won the European Cup thrice - with Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan. This will be his sixth final, and third with Milan. He can shoot, pass and run, and his movement and adaptability mean that he can take control when he needs to, or play the supporting role to either Kaka or Pirlo.

Don't forget Ambrosini as well - essentially a defensive midfielder, but with good all-round ability, he supported everyone in their efforts tonight, forming a central core with Pirlo and Gattuso, and allowing Seedorf and Kaka to run around and do their thing.

This was a top, top class midfield, with intelligence, experience, and class, and quite simply Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick are nearly men, who were not upto the task tonight. Ryan Giggs is rejuvenated in his roving role, but is still essentially a 33 year old left-winger with much diminished pace. Scholes is still bright, still classy, but he's always been a reflex player - one touch passes, hammered shots and volleys, and quick interplay.

There was no one to take charge today, no one to control things. In the first leg they escaped through an inspired performance from the team at home in front of a roaring Old Trafford. But at the San Siro, it was men versus boys.

And as for that whole best player in the world debate? Kaka showed today that Cristiano Ronaldo is a million miles away. Kaka is real, true class, a kid who arrived from Sao Paulo and immediately started to control games and make things happen. He can pass, he can move, he can finish. Ronaldo is a trickster who has after three unproductive seasons has hit great form. He is as good of a dribbler as anyone, and has improved his shooting and crossing, but he doesn't play with composure and intelligence in the way that a Kaka, Henry or Ronaldinho does. The Portuguese "kid" has failed to score against Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool this season, and I would say that all the celebrations over his talent are more than a little bit pre-mature. 

Good Luck Milan.