Source: Daily_Mail
Barcelona's Champions League final plans see Javier Mascherano at centre-back
ShareFaces from Liverpool and Manchester United's past will come together for Barcelona next weekend in a bid to stop Sir Alex Ferguson lifting a third Champions League trophy. Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique are likely to form the centre-back pairing when the La Liga and Premier League champions face off in the biggest game in club football at Wembley on Saturday. The former Liverpool midfielder Mascherano has proved an excellent stand-in for Catalan captain Carles Puyol as the Spain international battled against a knee injury for much of the second part of the campaign. No way through: Barcelona's Javier Mascherano is likely to play against Manchester United in defence during the Champions League finalWhile Puyol is fit again, boss Pep Guardiola is reluctant to play both the World Cup winner and left-back Eric Abidal, who has just returned after undergoing surgery to remove a tumour from his liver two months ago, in same back four.Abidal, who missed Barca'a triumphnat 2009 final against United because of suspension, is likely to be among the substitutes with Puyol slotting into the left side of defence.A place in the starting XI for the most important match of the season would mean a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for Argentina international Mascherano after moving to Spain from Liverpool in August 2010. Familiar foe: Gerard Pique will partner Mascherano against his former clubFor the first half of the campaign Mascherano was almost a permanent substitute, but Puyol's injury gave him his chance in an unfamiliar role alongside Pique who spent four years at Old Trafford before returning to Barcelona in 2008.Guardiola believes Mascherano's tactical intelligence and knowledge of the United forwards could be crucial in the Wembley showdown. Barca, meanwhile, have completed the signing of left-back and Spain Under 21 international Jose ?ngel from Sporting Gijon. EXCLUSIVE: Come back home! Old boys Jose and Hiddink in frame as Carlo is axedGlory, glory, Man United! Fergie's men lift the Premier League trophy at Old Trafford Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Pep Guardiola Places: Barcelona, Liverpool, Spain, Argentina