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# Champions League final 2011: Manchester United players can handle
Barcelona's Lionel Messi, says Alex Ferguson
## Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed his players to
nullify the threat of Lionel Messi and has insisted that Barcelona's status as
favourites ahead of this weekend's Champions League final does not offer them
any advantage.
![Champions League final 2011: Manchester United players can handle
Barcelona's Lionel Messi, says Alex Ferguson][1]
Star of the show: Lionel Messi is rated the world's best player Photo: GETTY
IMAGES
By Telegraph staff and agencies 11:01AM BST 24 May 2011
[Comments][2]
**[United][3]** find themselves in the rare position of being underdogs for
Saturday's Wembley showpiece, even though they have just claimed a record 19th
title.
However, with memories of the one-sided encounter in Rome two years ago, when
the Catalans eased to victory, it is Barca who are expected to win.
"There is no advantage," said Ferguson. "It doesn't matter. We don't decide
those things. I know my players will be ready."
Ferguson believes concentration will be the key to an improved outcome and
prefers to dwell on the two meetings with Barcelona in the 2008 semi-final,
when United were able to keep a pair of clean sheets, as the template his side
must work towards.
"We showed fantastic concentration in those two ties," said Ferguson. "That is
the key for us. It is an important issue in terms of Saturday."
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24 May 2011
* [Giggs skips training ahead of Bara clash][6]
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* [Giggs furore puts Ferguson on defensive][7]
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* [Single-minded Giggs will weather storm][8]
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* [Evra: Ferguson stopped me leaving United][9]
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And Ferguson, whilst recognising Messi's brilliance, is refusing to single out
the Argentina star for special attention.
"We have played against Barcelona three times with Messi in the team," he
said. "But there is always a solution to every good player. Hopefully we can
find one on Saturday.
"They have other good players though, and so do we. That is why it is such an
appealing game. I am sure Barcelona are aware of that."
In the wake of the Ryan Giggs super-injunction saga, Ferguson was asked about
the importance of the Welshman to his team.
However, it was immediately obvious that the United manager was not interested
in discussing the matter.
"All the players are important to us," he said.
Asked about his relationship with the Glazer family, Ferguson replied: "There
has never been any problem for me.
"They let me get on with my job as the manager and that is all you can ask
for."
United's meeting with Barcelona will be the third Champions League final they
have featured in since the Glazers took control of the club.
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## [Manchester United][3]
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[![Barcelona v Manchester United: Champions League final live ][20] ][21]
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[![Darren Ferguson - Champions League final 2011: 'Sir Alex Ferguson got up at
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### ['Dad got here by sheer hard work'][23]
[![Wayne Rooney must show the world his talent in the Champions League final,
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### [Time for Rooney to bestride world stage][25]
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