Little over a week after United equalled the Scousers' record of eighteen league championships, United travel to Rome looking to become champions of Europe once again.

The Super Cup aside, the Red Devils have never lost a European final. Benfica were disposed of in 1968 after a dramatic extra-time win at Wembley. Bobby Charlton bagged two goals with George Best and Brian Kidd on target. It was just ten years after Munich as Matt Busby's men achieved greatness in front of over 92,000 in the capital.

However, it's under Ferguson that United achieved regular success in European competition.  In 1991, United saw off Johan Cruijff's Barcelona 2-1 to win the Cup Winners' Cup. A brace from Sparky Hughes capped a memorable night in front of thousands of adoring Reds in Rotterdam.

Eight years later, the Scotsman sealed the big prize with two last-gasp goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer securing one of the most stunning comebacks in the competition's history. Bayern Munich were beaten in amazing fashion and United had an amazing Treble.

It took United another nine years to win ‘Ol Big Ears again - with Chelsea seen off on penalties. Again, it was in incredibly dramatic fashion as the match ended 1-1, after extra-time, and went to penalties. John Terry slipped and missed when all he had to do was score - and Edwin van der Sar was eventually the hero as he denied Nicolas Anelka and the Reds were crowned kings of Europe.

Twelve months later, United find themselves one win from claiming a fourth European Cup. The Red Devils are unbeaten in this year's competition having won seven and drawn five of their twelve continental clashes. Inter Milan, Porto and Arsenal have all been seen off in the knock-out stages as Fergie looks to make history.

Barcelona have lost once on their way to the finals - losing to Shakhtar Donetsk, eventual Uefa Cup winners, in the group stages. They dumped Lyon out in the second round before thumping Bayern Munich 5-1 on aggregate in the last eight. Barca then dumped Chelsea out in the semis following a hugely controversial away-goal win. Managed by the young charismatic Pep Guardiola, the Catalan giants head to Italy having sealed the La Liga title with time to spare. They've also won the Copa del Rey - Spain's primary Cup competition.

Rio Ferdinand is expected to be declared fit to play and will partner Nemanja Vidic at centre-half. Patrice Evra will be at left-back, whilst Ferguson has already announced that John O'Shea will play and will presumably slot in at right-back. Edwin van der Sar will start between the sticks.

The rest of the line-up, however, is up for considerable debates. Press reports claim Carlos Tevez is unlikely to start - and Wayne Rooney is certain to start. Will Fergie play him in a front two with Dimitar Berbatov? Will Cristiano Ronaldo and Ji-Sung Park play just behind the powerhouse England striker, with Berba joining Tevez on the bench? Darren Fletcher is suspended, which increases the odds of Anderson playing in the middle of the park alongside Michael Carrick.

Barca have been sweating over the fitness of Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta; but both players look likely to be included.

I'm not confident. Then again, I very rarely am. It promises to be a memorable evening and hopefully United can retain Europe's biggest prize. Nervous? You bet.

Come on United.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon