It is the world's best team of last year – winners of the European Cup, the World Club Cup and the Premier League – against the side that many consider the world's best this year. Sir Alex Ferguson reckons this is his strongest team ever; Catalan commentators have described Pep Guardiola's Barcelona as the greatest of all time. Could any side other than Barcelona deny United their right to the tag of favourites? If the European Cup final is supposed to be between Europe's best two clubs, this is the right pairing. Rome will be historic: between them United and Barcelona have appeared in eight finals but they have never met there. They have met before, though. And if Chelsea-United conjures up penalty shoot-outs, Barcelona-United brings to mind Romario and Stoichkov, Yorke and Cole at their peak. A 4–0 to Barcelona, a 2–2, two 3–3s.
Sid Lowe, The Guardian
Also high on the agenda is Paul Scholes sympathising with Darren Fletcher’s final suspension. Scholes suffered his own Champions League heartache in 1999 when he and Roy Keane were suspended for the Nou Camp final.
However, The Sun reports that Fletch could be handed a “sensational reprieve”, with UEFA official David Taylor lending his backing to the United midfielder’s hopes of overturning his semi-final dismissal.
The Daily Star and Daily Express claim that Sir Alex has promised Ji-sung Park a place in his Champions League starting line-up after his recent performances. ‘Unsung hero gets the nod’ is the Express headline.
Sid Lowe, The Guardian
Also high on the agenda is Paul Scholes sympathising with Darren Fletcher’s final suspension. Scholes suffered his own Champions League heartache in 1999 when he and Roy Keane were suspended for the Nou Camp final.
However, The Sun reports that Fletch could be handed a “sensational reprieve”, with UEFA official David Taylor lending his backing to the United midfielder’s hopes of overturning his semi-final dismissal.
The Daily Star and Daily Express claim that Sir Alex has promised Ji-sung Park a place in his Champions League starting line-up after his recent performances. ‘Unsung hero gets the nod’ is the Express headline.