Source: Daily_Mail
Barcelona don't frighten us, says Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
Manchester United will head to Wembley seeking Champions League final revenge against Barcelona later this month after sweeping aside Schalke in their semi-final second leg at Old Trafford. [LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson's United side have the opportunity to erase memories of their 2009 final defeat by Barcelona in Rome and head to Wembley full of confidence after one of the most one-sided knockout ties of recent years. [LNB]Manchester United 4 Schalke 1: Read Matt Lawton's match report[LNB] Bring it on! Fergie doesn't believe United have anything to be scared of when facing Barca in the final[LNB]Ferguson said: 'We have no need to be frightened of Barcelona and there is no reason why we should not go to the final full of confidence. Our form has been good and we are having a fantastic season. [LNB]'There should be no terror and we can't be frightened out of our skin. Our job is to find a solution to what Barcelona do. [LNB]'Of course I would prefer to be facing Brechin in the final, with the greatest of respect to them! [LNB] Walk in the park: United's simple victory included goals from Gibson (above) and Valencia (below)[LNB] [LNB] 'But at the start of the season I would have wanted to steer clear of Barcelona until the final and we have managed to do that.' [LNB]Ferguson has often looked back on the 2-0 defeat by Barcelona in Rome with regret, claiming that his team simply got things wrong on the night. [LNB]He added: 'They are at their peak but we are more experienced and our form has been good.' [LNB]Ferguson made eight changes from the team that lost in the Barclays Premier League to Arsenal on Sunday but the gamble paid off. [LNB] Wembley way: Anderson bags United's third (above) and wheels away to take the applause (below)[LNB] [LNB] Ferguson said: 'I did not sleep thinking about it. I woke up four times and picked four different teams, but when you see them produce a performance like that you think there is no reason not to play these players. Barcelona are the team of the moment and it's fantastic to watch, but we know what we have to do.' [LNB]Ferguson revealed he may speak to his friend, the Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, before the final. Real lost their Champions League semi-final to the Catalan team but did recently beat them in the Spanish Cup final. [LNB]Ferguson added: 'I speak to him a lot and I spoke to him last week. We have our own knowledge of Barcelona, but Jose is very helpful that way and you can always take information.' [LNB]Patrice Evra picked up a thigh injury and is a doubt for Sunday.[LNB] Prying eyes: Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola took his seat in the stands to run the rule over his final opponents[LNB]Ferguson has identified Darren Fletcher as a key man to plug the gaps that were so brutally exposed by Barcelona two years ago. Fletcher missed that Champions League final defeat to Barca in Rome after being sent off in the semi-final win over Arsenal. [LNB]But after making his comeback following a debilitating virus that has kept him out for two months, the Manchester United midfielder should be available for the re-match at Wembley. [LNB]'It wouldn't have been fair to pitch Darren in from the start because he really does need games,' said Ferguson. 'But he is catching up all the time and we may get him on the bench against Chelsea on Sunday with a view to getting more game time. [LNB]'Some players are big-game players and he is one. [LNB] Welcome back: Darren Fletcher (right) made his return to action after two months out injured [LNB]'The perfect example is Mark Hughes, he was one of the best big-game players in United's history. He never failed in a big game and Darren is the same type of player.'[LNB]Wayne Rooney sat out the second leg as a precaution due to a tight hamstring, but revealed his delight at heading to his third Champions League final on Twitter. [LNB]But the in-form forward urged his team-mates to refocus on United's next big fixture - what promises to be the Premier League title decider against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.[LNB]Rooney Tweeted: 'Yes boys. Great result. Champions league final. Wembley here we come. Looking forward to Sunday now. Big result needed.'[LNB] Watching brief: Wayne Rooney (third right) and Rio Ferdinand (fourth right) enjoy the second leg[LNB]United veteran Ryan Giggs, another player rested by Ferguson for the second leg, also hailed his team-mates' semi-final triumph and is hoping that the Red Devils can gain sweet revenge on Barca for 2009.[LNB]'It's a tremendous achievement, three finals in four years,' said Giggs. 'It's tough to get to Champions League finals and to get to three in four years is a great achievement.'[LNB]He added: 'It was disappointing that night because we didn't play the football we had played up to the final. [LNB]'We have played some good stuff so far in the Champions League this season, so hopefully we can carry that on.'[LNB]Reds defender Chris Smalling is hoping to enjoy a fairytale end to a dream first season in United colours with a win at Wembley.[LNB] Dream come true: Chris Smalling (right) cannot wait for the final[LNB]He said: 'I knew United would challenge, but to feature so much and to play my part is great. The whole squad has featured all season, which has brought us closer together, so hopefully we can get that medal.[LNB]'It's going to be a massive occasion. Obviously Barca have been immense all season, but in a one-off game at Wembley, on our own patch, things will be on our side.'[LNB]Meanwhile, despite his side's fearsome reputation, Barca's pass master Xavi has claimed that United should be considered favourites to lift the famous trophy.[LNB]And Xavi's Nou Camp team-mate Pedro, who scored in the Catalans' 1-1 second leg draw at Real Madrid, also talked up Ferguson's outfit ahead of the May 28 showdown.[LNB]'Manchester United are the favourites,' Xavi said. 'They're a great team that also likes to play football, and perhaps that's good for us.'[LNB]Pedro added: 'I hope we can win but Manchester are also a great team.'[LNB] [LNB] Martin Samuel: Give us an occasion that does justice to the memories and joy of Wembley '68Manchester United 4 Schalke 1 (agg 6-1): Fergie's second string cruise to WembleyVan der Sar savours perfect night as United line up glamour finale for retiring keeperPep's destiny: Why Wembley means so much to Guardiola's BarcaManchester United 4 Schalke 1: Ian Ladyman's match verdictManchester United 4 Schalke 1 (agg 6-1): How the teams rated at Old Trafford All the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Patrice Evra, Jose Mourinho, Darren Fletcher, Mark Hughes, Xavi, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs Places: Barcelona, Rome, Manchester
