Carrick: We can do it again
Things couldn't have gone much better for Michael Carrick since joining United in the summer of 2006.
He has developed into one of the finest midfielders in the country and become an integral part of Sir Alex's trophy-winning Red machine, he's the proud owner of three Barclays Premier League titles, as well as Champions League and Club World Cup winners' medals.
And ahead of European football's showpiece final meeting with Barcelona on Wednesday, the 27-year-old tells ManUtd.com he's determined to further boost his and United's trophy haul...
In your opinion is this a final between the two best teams in world football?
Yes, probably. The fact we’ve both won our respective leagues certainly puts us up there as the best two sides in Europe. It’s going to be a huge game and it’s one we’re all looking forward to.
What kind of match are you expecting?
I’m not sure. We thought it would be very open and attacking when we played them last season and in the end there was only one goal over two legs. They can score and create chances at any time, but we believe we can defend well and attack them. There could be a bagful of goals or just one could be the difference - anything could happen, but that’s what makes it such an interesting game.
People talk about the threat of Messi, but the manager has highlighted the dangers posed by Iniesta…
He’s definitely a big player for them. He’s had a great season and scored a few goals, none more important than the one against Chelsea in the semi-final which put them through to the final. I know he’s had a bit of an injury recently, but I’m sure he’ll be fit for Rome and it’ll be a big test to play against him because he’s a really top player.
United can make history by becoming the first side to retain the trophy – is that something you think about as players?
It’s a strange one really because you try not to think about things too much, but at the back of your mind you know how special it could be if we could do it. We’re determined to repeat the feeling we had last season, it was something I’d never experienced before in my life and it really was an unbelievable feeling. To do that again would be incredible.
How big a boost is it to be going into the final as champions of England?
It’s a great boost. Just knowing that you’ve been consistent over a long period of time and have been good enough to finish on top of the pile gives you a lot of belief. We’ve hit good form at the right time and it’s important to reproduce that form on Wednesday.
Darren Fletcher obviously misss the game through suspension – how much do the players want to win it for him?
We’d love to. We’re all still devastated for Fletch, but hopefully we can win it and go some way to making him a bit happier about the situation.
Final countdown
Each day on ManUtd.com’s live blog we’ll bring you insider updates from OT as preparations for the Champions League final gather pace…
Monday
19:07 Anderson's unearthed a new nickname for Sir Alex: "He's the big daddy, especially to the young players," he says. "He has created a big family I feel comfortable with. We are all good friends. It is why United is the greatest team in the world.” Look out for interview with Ando on ManUtd.com on Tuesday morning. I'm packed now and ready for an early start on Tuesday morning. I need to be at Manchester airport for 6am UK time before joining big daddy and the players in Rome. (BH)
16:03 Carlos Tevez is putting off all thoughts of sorting out his future until after the Champions League final - which he's completely focused on. “I want to win it first, for the club and the fans. Then we'll talk about the future. I really like it here and want to be part of the success," he's quoted as saying. (BH)
14:53 Barcelona injury doubts Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry both trained today, although not at the same intensity as the rest of their team-mates. It was their final session before Pep Guardiola's men departed for Rome. (BH)
13:03 Swiss referee Massimo Busacca will take charge of the final. He officiated the semi-final first-leg tie between us and Barca last year, and was the man in the middle for our 1-0 win at Porto this term. The 40-year-old already has experience of a European showpiece after reffing (why isn't that term used more often in the written word?) the UEFA Cup final in 2007. (BH)
12:52 Bit unrelated, but have you seen Eric Cantona's comments doing the rounds? He reckons he could one day return to United as a coach or
Barcelona classic: Sep '98
This opening gambit in the so-called ‘group of death’ had everything: two teams intent on attacking, memorable goals, a dubious penalty, a red card and a partisan home crowd in full voice.
The Reds raced into a two-goal lead inside 24 minutes, courtesy of a rare Giggs header and a neat Paul Scholes finish, only for Barça to fight back in the second half and level through Sonny Anderson and a Rivaldo penalty (harshly awarded against Jaap Stam).
And still there was no let-up in the attacking. United went back ahead through a trademark David Beckham free kick, before Luis Enrique netted the Catalans’ second spot kick of the night, following a Nicky Butt handball for which he was dismissed.
"Neither team deserved to lose,” Giggs said afterwards. “But that doesn’t mean we’re happy with a point, especially after leading for so long."
United: Schmeichel; G Neville, Stam, Berg, Irwin (P Neville 79); Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Giggs (Blomqvist 84); Solskjaer (Butt 55), Yorke
Fergie can be greatest
Fergie can become the greatest
Will Manchester United versus Barcelona be a great final? Yes. These are two great teams, of course, and obviously there are big expectations, but you must remember that finals are not for playing beautiful football. [If Sir Alex] wins on Wednesday it would make him the greatest club manager. He has made a super team. Three Premier League titles in a row and two Champions League finals – that's really top. They have quality and experience, with Ferdinand, Vidic, Ronaldo and Rooney. They have absolutely everything as a team: strength, mentality, speed, magic, solutions. You need no more words to explain how strong they are.
Jose Mourinho, Daily Telegraph
Yes, you read that right. Jose's clearly missing the English press... his final preview in the Telegraph makes for a great read.
Gary Neville has earned his first England call-up since Fabio Capello took over - he last played against Spain over two years ago. Neville is joined by Ferdinand, Rooney and Carrick in the squad for June's 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Kazahkstan on 6 June and Andorra four days later.
Cristiano Ronaldo insists we won't be in for a 'will he?/won't he?' summer of speculation. He promises. "My heart is here. This is where I want to play. Manchester United is now my house." Brilliantly put, Ronny!
The Independent's Sam Wallace challenges the notion that versatility in a footballer means they suffer by never being able to pin down one position. He says that quality is what has made John O'Shea's United career as the Irishman prepares to start in the Reds' defence in Rome.
The Telegraph praise the young Reds who saw off Hull on Sunday. "United's shadow XI could be classed as unfamiliar, but weak? Hardly," writes Mark Ogden.
Unselfish Rooney gives all for United
There is a clip on YouTube of Wayne Rooney playing in goal. He dives around making a string of saves, punches a ball up to the halfway line, then heads off to score a goal at the other end of the field.
Force of nature
Ever since Rooney took his first bold, bullock-like strides on the Premier League stage as a 16-year-old prodigy with Everton FC, it has been evident he is a rare force of nature. The talent is unquestionable, the enthusiasm infectious, but arguably the most compelling feature of his contribution in a Manchester United FC shirt this season has been his willingness to subjugate his attacking instincts to his team's cause.
'Sacrifice'
This was never more evident than in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg win over Arsenal FC where the England attacker helped Patrice Evra neuter the threat of Theo Walcott down United's left flank. He remained in that wide midfield role for the return but got forward in a lightning counterattack to set up the third goal scored by Cristiano Ronaldo. Sir Alex Ferguson admits it is "a sacrifice" on the selfless Rooney's part but said the 23-year-old's physical qualities allowed him to fulfil the role to outstanding effect.
Stamina levels
"Some players are unable to do what Wayne does, he has got the stamina levels and the resilience to keep doing that and to still be a threat when we do attack," said Sir Alex. Many commentators would argue Rooney operates best as a second-striker. Citing the example of FC Barcelona forward Thierry Henry, the United manager argued that Rooney could also do damage attacking from the flanks. "When Henry plays as a striker and sometimes when Wayne does, to create space sometimes they drift from centre out. When strikers attack from out to in it is far more dangerous I think."
'Loves his football'
Indeed amid all the tracking back, Rooney has got forward to score 17 goals for United this season, four in the UEFA Champions League. "He has been fantastic in that position," his manager concluded. Not surprisingly, left-back Evra concurred. The Frenchman, who would doubtless welcome Rooney's help in subduing Lionel Messi in Wednesday night's showpiece, said: "Going forward and coming back, it is great for me knowing Wayne is there. He is amazing; he plays with his heart, he just loves his football."
'Combustible nature'
That Rooney's hunger comes hand in hand with a wired-in aggression is well-documented – a recent reminder came when he punched a corner flag after being sent off at Fulham FC in March. Yet Sir Alex believes the Liverpudlian is "far better now" at controlling his "combustible nature". The Scot added: "He came here with certain attributes, the most important was this fantastic hunger and desire. Of course you have to channel that desire because sometimes it leads to anger at times, and there are good signs of that. He is just such a winner, every training session, every ball, every tackle he goes into is a cup final for him." You can only imagine what a UEFA Champions League final means to him then.
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