Source: Telegraph
Manchester United v Barcelona: Rio Ferdinand injury 'fine' for Rome final
Ferdinand, who suffered a calf injury three weeks ago, has missed four games but is confident he will be ready to help his team defend their European title in the Olympic Stadium.
The 30 year-old said "My injury is fine – I've been training for the past couple of days. I'm glad to be back."
At a press conference in Rome alongside United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo, Ferdinand refused to judge his side's place in history should they become the first team to retain the Champions League.
He said: "In terms of winning back-to-back Premier League and Champions League we need to win it. It's not for us to say where we stand in history, that is the job of journalists."
Ferguson knows that victory in Rome would mark another step up the ladder of greatness for the Old Trafford club.
He said: "We've never done it [defend the trophy], and it hasn't be done, but we are good at doing things for the first time.
"It's an opportunity for us to that tomorrow. Cycles of great teams used to win three-in-a-row, and we have an opportunity to do that."
Ronaldo denied that the game would be a showdown between himself and Barcelona's talisman Lionel Messi for a chance to win the Ballon d'Or saying: "If we win definitely one of us [Ronaldo or Messi] have a chance [for the Ballon d'Or]. What I want
more is to win the Champions League."
Ferguson is confident his team can overcome the Spanish champions although admitting last season's semi-final win was far from straightforward.
"We were a bit lucky last year when Henry headed straight into Van der Sar's arms, but you need that luck.
"I think there are a good examples [of rising to the challenges]. When the chips were down in Porto, and against Arsenal we showed our capabilities.
"I think the team has elevated itself, rising to the challenge of going to Japan, and then coming back to beat Stoke City on Boxing Day.
"When you have a bunch of players who are talented and determined to win then you have a special team."
