Sir Alex aims to underline supremacy

'The better team'
The United manager suggested that beating Chelsea on the domestic stage had ensured they would go into the UEFA Champions League final confident in their ability to better the Londoners again. Sir Alex said: "Obviously it may have a bearing on Wednesday. It won't harm us to have achieved what we've achieved. In fairness, a lot of their players said we were the better team in the league anyway and we deserved to win the title.

Big-game temperament
"We know we can handle the pressure from our side," he added. "Chelsea have a lot of experienced players, they are more mature than our team. We have got younger players in a lot of positions, but I don't know if that matters a lot on this occasion because the one thing we have got is a good big-game temperament. I think that will help us." Although Chelsea defeated United the last time the clubs met in a final – prevailing 1-0 after extra time to claim the FA Cup last May – the Scot warned: "It will be different from the FA Cup final. I think we will be fresher and if we are fresher then I expect a better performance from us."

Quality
Speaking at United's Carrington training ground yesterday, the manager reflected on their "deserved" passage to the second UEFA Champions League final of his 22-year reign. "We are unbeaten, with some very good performances, and that tells you everything. I thought we beat a very good team in the semi-final – [FC] Barcelona played their best football of the season against us and we still managed to beat them. That is a good indication of the quality of our own team."

Upbeat mood
Asked if the desire to capture the club's third European crown 50 years after the Munich air disaster could prove an unwanted burden for his players, Sir Alex conceded the anniversary had "weighed heavily" the day United lost to neighbours Manchester City FC in February. But he said he had no fears for Moscow. "The emotions got to them then but, fortunately in the final, there is a terrific build-up and it's more of a carnival atmosphere. It won't affect us this time.

'Fate could play a part'
"I think fate is fate," he added, citing Ryan Giggs's title-clinching goal at Wigan Athletic FC on Sunday, when he also equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's club appearance record. "If you look at us last Sunday with Ryan's goal, I hope fate plays a part again. Everyone needs a bit of luck in life, there is no question about that, and in a final you need a little bit - if we have that, we have a good chance." Despite his optimism, Sir Alex faces one notable difficulty: selecting a side from the 25 players on his squad list who have appeared en route to the final. "I am not going to enjoy it. Not only the team, the substitutes is the biggest problem – some very good players are going to be left out and it is not easy to tell them that," said the 66-year-old, who admitted both Owen Hargreaves and Park Ji-Sung had a good chance of being involved.