RUSSIA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson says his side is at its best going into Champions League final against Chelsea.

Record ID: 336095

  • Title: RUSSIA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson says his side is at its best going into Champions League final against Chelsea.
  • Date: 21st May 2008
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (MAY 20, 2008) (REUTERS) LUZHNIKI STADIUM STATUE OF LENIN IN FRONT OF LUZHNIKI STADIUM
  • Embargoed: 5th June 2008 13:00
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  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA7R5KPV726BXTQ59GACYPR5FRW
  • Story Text: Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson told reporters that his side must play to it's strengths in the Champions league final against Chelsea on Wednesday (May 21).
    Ferguson has been in charge at United for nearly 22 years and has overseen 151 Champions League matches with them plus another 12 in the old European Cup with Aberdeen. He has already won 28 trophies with United and first tasted European success with Aberdeen 25 years ago.
    "I think we need to play with our main strengths, the movement, the passing and the ability to create openings in a game. I think we are good at that, so I don't want us to change too much," Ferguson told reporters at a media conference in Moscow on Tuesday (May 20).
    Manchester United go into Wednesday's Champions League final against Chelsea with the psychological advantage of having pushed the London club into runners-up spot in the Premier League.
    The last time the two sides met was in the Premier League at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge Stadium in late April (April 26). Chelsea won the game 2-1 with German midfielder Michael Ballack scoring twice for the London club to cancel out a Wayne Rooney strike.
    "I think Chelsea are a physically stronger team than probably most of the Premier Division teams anyway, and they base a lot of that strength, their team play on that strength" Ferguson said.
    Portuguese midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo has spearheaded United's assault on the Premier League and Champions League this season with 41 goals in all matches.
    Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez scored 57 of United's 80 league goals between them and have contributed 78 of the overall total. Ferguson is confident that his team are in top shape going into the final.
    "Since we've won the Championship we've had ten days good preparation. Probably the preparation has helped the staff more than the players. It was a long season, and we all feet the strains and stresses of it.
    But for the players the last ten days has been fantastic for them. It gave us an opportunity to do some serious work in the training field, which we have done. And I think we're at our best shape tomorrow, and hopefully good enough to win this trophy," Ferguson said.
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