Source: SKY_Sports
Barcelona v Man Utd preview
Manchester United and Barcelona meet in Rome on Wednesday to contest the UEFA Champions League final and the opportunity to be crowned the best club side in Europe.
The English and Spanish domestic title holders are undoubtedly the best teams in their respective countries and their attention has now turned to continental conquests in what promises to be an epic encounter in Italy's capital.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes a clash between his men and Barcelona is a game which 'paints the real story of football' and pundits have been purring over the possibilities of two heavyweights, at the height of their powers, supplying an evocative classic.
To add to the intriguing ingredients, United are bidding to become the first side in the history of the Champions League to successfully defend the trophy, while Pep Guardiola is hoping to mark his first season as a manager by guiding Barca to an unprecedented Spanish Treble, having already secured the Primera Liga and Copa del Rey.
The Eternal City's vintage Foro Italico sports complex, which houses the Stadio Olimpico, is the scene for a contest that, if potential is fulfilled, promises to live long in the memory as the likes of United stars Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo test their craft against the wizardry of Barca's Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta.
Both teams, however, have their concerns as they prepare to do battle and holders United have suffered a late scare over 2008 World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or Ronaldo as the Portuguese trickster required treatment on an ankle injury following training on Tuesday.
But as the world champions and Carling Cup holders move in on a prospective Quadruple, the 24-year-old - who missed the start of the season after undergoing ankle surgery - is almost certain to play.
Centre-back Rio Ferdinand has overcome a calf complaint and is expected to captain his side, who are also looking to become the first club since the legendary AC Milan of 1989 and 1990 to record successive European Cup successes, while also adding to the silverware won in 1968, 1999 and 2008.
John O'Shea and Park Ji-sung are set for first XI places as rewards for their commitment to United's cause, while Brazil international Anderson is expected to line up in midfield alongside Michael Carrick and veteran Ryan Giggs.
Darren Fletcher suffers the heartbreak of suspension after what was perceived by United as a wrongful red card in the comfortable semi-final victory over English rivals Arsenal.
Two-time champions of Europe Barcelona have revenge in mind. The Catalan giants dominated United in the last four of the tournament one year ago only to lose the tie as their opponents went on to defeat Chelsea on penalties in Moscow, and now they are desperate to set the record straight.
But the Catalan giants, who sampled European Cup wins in 1992 and 2006, have major defensive concerns as full-backs Daniel Alves and Eric Abidal are banned and centre-half Rafael Marquez is sidelined with a knee problem.
Skipper Carles Puyol is therefore expected to shift to right-back, with Seydou Keita on the left, and holding midfielder Yaya Toure will drop to central defence alongside former United youngster Gerard Pique.
Sergi Busquets, who has suffered a fitness shock in training, should play in midfield, while Iniesta and Thierry Henry both appear to have overcome injuries to play their part.
Possible starting XIs
Barcelona: Valdes, Puyol, Pique, Toure, Keita, Iniesta, Busquets, Xavi, Henry, Eto'o, Messi.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney, Park.
