PREVIEW-Soccer-Barca need to recapture old form to tame United

By Simon Baskett

MADRID, April 22 (Reuters) - A fading Barcelona will need to recapture the sort of form that made them the kings of Europe two years ago if they are to tame much-fancied Manchester United in their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.

Once seen as the leading exponents of the beautiful game in club football, Barcelona are a mere shadow of the side that took the competition by storm in 2006 and it is now United who are deemed the most attractive and exciting team on the continent.

Barca effectively waved goodbye to their chances of depriving Real Madrid of the league title after labouring to a 0-0 draw at home to neighbours Espanyol on Saturday.

They have won only one of their last eight league games and they were distinctly unimpressive during their 1-0 victories over Schalke 04 in the last round of the Champions League.

Barca's hopes rest in great part on Lionel Messi, who is back fit after missing the last round because of a thigh injury.

The 20-year-old Argentine missed the 2006 Champions League final through injury.

Barca will be without their former talisman Ronaldinho who is sidelined with a leg injury and looks to be on the way out of the club after a worrying slide in form this season.

Thierry Henry is a doubtful after missing the Espanyol because of flu and coach Frank Rijkaard is likely to opt for youngster Bojan Krkic alongside Messi and Samuel Eto'o up front.