كتب : Amro Hassan
In his first season as Barca coach, Josep Guardiola has comfortably led his team to the domestic cup and league double.
Guardiola will be the youngest ever and only second coach after United's Alex Ferguson to achieve a treble of league, cup and champions league titles in one season.
On the other side, United have already clinched the FIFA Club World Cup, Carling Cup, and Premiership titles so far this term.
After beating Chelsea to last year's title, Ferguson's men can be the first to win back to back Champions League trophies since AC Milan won the European Cup in 1990.
"It is unusual that no team has defended it again since the Champions League started," Ferguson said.
"In the past there were cycles of great teams like Ajax, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, and now we've an opportunity now to retain it and hopefully we can take it."
Messi vs. Ronaldo
Wednesday's clash will witness a confrontation between the world's best two players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
While Ronaldo ended last season's competition as top scorer with eight goals, Messi is the top marksman this year with eight goals as well.
"Ronaldo is unbelievable. He's very special, and it will not be easy to stop him. He is a player I would pay to watch," says Messi.
"We must not pay all attention to him and forget about Berbatov, Rooney and Carlos Tevez," the argentine added.
Absentees
Both teams are facing the possibility of starting the clash without a number of starters. United will already be without Darren Fletcher, who was sent off in the semi-final.
While Rio Ferdinand is slightly doubtful to start due to injury, Barcelona will lack the back line trio of Eric Abidal, Daniel Alves and Rafael Marquez.
Abidal saw red against Chelsea in the semi-final's second leg. Alves is suspended after picking a second caution in the same game and Marquez is out with an injury picked up in the semis' first-leg.
The Blaugrana were also without Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry in their last two league games and the Copa Del Rey final.
"Today is the last training session and we will see how their condition is. I think they will be there tomorrow. I am confident," Guardiola said on Wednesday.