Dimitar Berbatov, Manchester United’s record signing and Premier League top scorer, isn’t even on the bench in the Champions League final. Otherwise it’s an adventurous Man Utd team, with the same steady lineup Sir Alex Ferguson has preferred for the recent string of big matches, with Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs in central midfield.

For Barcelona, Eric Abidal proved fit enough to start, but captain Carles Puyol watches from the bench. Former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano pairs with Gerard Pique in defense instead.

Manchester United: Van Der Sar; Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Park; Rooney; Hernandez.

Subs: Kuszczak, Smalling, Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson, Nani, Owen.

Barcelona: Valdes; Abidal, Mascherano, Pique, Alves; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Pedro, Villa, Messi.

Subs: Oier, Adriano, Puyol, Keita, Thiago, Afellay, Bojan.