Javier Hernandez: Dad cried when United came calling...now I'm ready to face Barca

Discussions about Sir Alex Ferguson's greatest signings at Manchester United could last long into the night. Some names - Cantona, Keane, Schmeichel, Ronaldo - would come quickly. Others - Solskjaer, Vidic, Irwin - would perhaps have to work harder to make the list. Now, though, there is a new name to consider. Well three, to be precise. Call him Hernandez, Chicharito or Little Pea, it doesn't really matter. After just one season in the toughest league of all, the man who will wear the No 14 jersey for Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday night already has a strong case. Hot shot: Javier Hernandez scores against Marseille in the knockout stages at Old Trafford Big men have failed at United, creaked, groaned and fallen under the pressure. Reputations alone have failed to see many gifted footballers gain Ferguson's trust. For Hernandez, though, the impish Mexican striker signed under the radar for ?7million ahead of last summer's World Cup, 20 goals have done his bidding. Goalscorers of Hernandez's ilk are rare these days. Quick, twofooted, brave and blessed with a natural sense of space, time and anticipation, he is a Lineker of the modern age. 'It's still hard to believe what has happened this season,' Hernandez said ahead of the game against Barcelona. 'I thought that when I was getting my medal and the Premier League trophy last Sunday. 'When I came here my first thought was that I needed to work very hard to get a lot of minutes. But what has happened has taken me completely by surprise.' Praying for victory: Hernandez goes through his pre-match ritual In South Africa last summer, we saw glimpses of the talent Ferguson had acquired. Goals against France and Argentina in the World Cup were adroitly taken. There was no fuss about Hernandez's execution and there has not been any since. It is remarkable that this young footballer is not 23 until Wednesday. He began the season as a squad player but has eased effortlessly ahead of Dimitar Berbatov and the fading Michael Owen. He will begin the game tonight simply because Ferguson cannot leave him out. 'He has surprised us,' the United manager said this week. 'There is no doubt about that. His progress has been fantastic.' That United found Hernandez playing for Guadalajara says much for the extensive nature of their scouting. The story of the moment Hernandez learned of Ferguson's interest, though, is one that he will perhaps never tire of telling. In its own way, it will provide hope to many young footballers around the world who wait for the knock on the door. 'The first I heard about it was when my father said to me there's a person interested in you. He wants to talk with you, and he gave me (United chief scout) Jim Lawlor's card with the "MU" badge on it,' Hernandez said with a smile. 'I didn't know if it was genuine or not, because some agents in Mexico have cards on which they put the badges of all the big teams of the world. So I thought: "OK, it's one more of them". But my father told me: "No, it's really Manchester United". 'I said to him, "Don't joke with me about that" and then, when I saw my father crying, I knew it was really true, that it was United.' Talk to Hernandez - look into his hazel eyes - and you see a boy staring back. The closeness he maintains with his family - his father gave up his job as reserve manager at Guadalajara to go to the World Cup last summer - only accentuates a slight impression of immaturity. On the field, though, teams like Chelsea will testify to his stature as a goalscorer. Having scored against them in the Champions League quarter-final, he tore the heart out of their Barclays Premier League challenge with a goal after 36 seconds earlier this month. That, in many ways, was Hernandez at his best. Ruthless and nerveless. Unlike Berbatov, who scores goals in clusters, the Mexican scores them when they matter most. Late winners, equalisers. Goals that leave opponents winded. Only two or three years ago, Hernandez almost quit football. By full-time on Saturday night, Barcelona defenders may wish he had. 'Yes, it's true that I almost gave up,' he said. 'The coach at my club wasn't playing me. I was a little bit frustrated. Celebration time: A familiar sight for Premier League defenders this season 'My confidence started to go down and I asked my father and my family whether I was still right to play football. I just wanted to play but I would always go to the reserves. Without my family I may have quit. 'They said that I spent a lot of my time doing this and trying to make my dream come true so not to give it up. 'They said to keep fighting, keep focused and that the most important thing was to keep enjoying the game because I am very lucky. People all over the world want to be football players.' To anyone who has watched him play, Hernandez's faith in God is apparent. His pre-match prayer, delivered on both knees on the halfway line, has become a familiar ritual. This too, it transpires, has its roots in the time when the teenage Hernandez was finding professional football a little too much to deal with. 'I started doing that when I was considering quitting,' he recalled. 'When I started playing a bit more, I started to do that only to say thank you (to God) for helping me. On Saturday night Hernandez will play in the biggest game of his life. Remarkably, though, he goes into it with very little left to prove.  Barcelona v Manchester United is the perfect contest... now can they deliver?Jamie Redknapp: Is a Wembley win beyond Fergie?Jamie Carragher: It's time for Wayne Rooney to join the legendsRonald Koeman on the Champions League final: Just one kick is all it takesJeff Powell: Catalans are no match for the greats of world footballDes Kelly: Time for **** ***** to write his own storyRevealed: The secrets of the Barca ambush - how they beat Sir Alex in 2009 Champions League final  Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov Places: Barcelona, Argentina, France, Mexico, South Africa

Jamie Carragher: It's time for Wayne Rooney to join the legends

The Champions League final is a game that can define a career. When you think of the true greats, they were elevated to exalted levels by doing something spectacular on this kind of stage. Take Zinedine Zidane, for example. He was a phenomenon who became a legend thanks to goals when it mattered for France and Real Madrid. He, though, is not alone and you can almost tie the big names to one key moment. Steven Gerrard has Istanbul in 2005. The 1986 World Cup finals belonged to Diego Maradona. Ronaldo lifted Brazil to the 2002 World Cup, while Johan Cruyff won Ajax the European Cup in 1972. Magic moment: Wayne Rooney's overhead kick in the Manchester derby So, as Manchester United prepare to tackle Barcelona, the challenge facing Wayne Rooney is an obvious one: can he move through the gears to conjure the performance that will see him spoken of in similarly glowing terms in years to come? For United to stand any chance of beating Barcelona, they need Wayne to be on top form. After all, he is undoubtedly one of the top players in Europe. He has played in two Champions League finals so far. When United lost to Barcelona in Rome two years ago , he played on the left and sacrificed himself for the team; 12 months earlier, he was substituted in the penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea. Two World Cups sandwich those games and, for whatever reason, he did n ot p erfor m quite as well in Germany or South Africa as he did when he lit up the European Championship in 2004. Should he put in that massive performance or score the winning goal at Wembley, it would complete an already distinguished c.v. and Wayne has definitely looked much better in the last three months than he did at the start of the season. The partnership he has struck up with Javier Hernandez has flourished and you can see why people are saying he is suited to playing the 'No 10' role. Don't, however, overlook what he can do as a striker - it was only last year, remember, that he scored 34 goals for United playing through the middle. I expect United to start as they did against Chelsea with a 4-4-1-1 formation but I would also expect Barcelona to have at least 60 per cent of the possession. I just hope that does not mean Wayne will end up being shuffled out wide. If he gets the chances to show what he is about, he will have the opportunity to join the legends. Case for the defence: The perception is that Pep Guardiola's men will crack under pressure Barca's defenceTHERE is a theory that Barcelona's bid to win a third Champions League in five years will be undermined by their defence. The perception is that Pep Guardiola's men are there to be got at and they will end up cracking under pressure. While defending is not necessarily Barcelona's greatest strength, take a closer look at their statistics. In 38 La Liga matches, they only conceded 21 goals. In the Champions League, meanwhile, their 'against' column after 12 matches stands at eight. It is madness to think Barcelona have got a creaking back four. Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique are two of the best defenders in the business, while Dani Alves is arguably the best right back in the world. But if Javier Mascherano ends up at centre back, he could be the weak link for United to exploit. However, his performances against Real Madrid in the semi-finals were top class. Maybe people are getting a bit blas? about Barcelona. Some think it's boring that all they do is pass, pass, pass. They are not a team that get at your throat like United or Real Madrid. But if you go to the Bernabeu and enjoy more than 70 per cent possession, it is a phenomenal achievement. You could not do that in a more hostile environment. If they score first, it will be incredibly difficult for United. One way for United to stop them might be by copying Real's tactics in the Copa del Rey final. They were aggressive in the first 45 minutes but then played much deeper in the second period. That was a definite ploy from Jose Mourinho because there is no way you can go at Barcelona for 90 minutes. Just champion: Bob Paisley leads Liverpool's celebrations after 1978 European Cup triumph Ferguson v Paisley If Manchester United's manager wins his third European Cup and matches Bob Paisley, it will be a fantastic achievement. But I will just say this: Sir Alex has had 17 Champions League campaigns with United, while Bob's treble was recorded in six attempts. With another 11 more attempts, Bob would have added a few more! Key clash: Midfield v midfieldWembley is not a very quick pitch and that could help United because if Barcelona start zipping the ball about, it is almost impossible to get it off them. So how will Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick, if that is the pairing Sir Alex Ferguson chooses, contain Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andres Iniesta? That is something I worry about for United but, then again, you look at the way Giggs and Carrick have been playing and they keep proving you wrong. They also have the option to tuck Park Ji-sung in the middle from out wide, as Ferguson did with Owen Hargreaves against Chelsea in Moscow three years ago. One to watch: Xavi IF Lionel Mess i is being considered as one of the best players of all time, Xavi (left) has got to be considered as one of the greatest midfielders. Has there ever been anyone better than him? He plays the same every week, yet nobody can stop him.  Barcelona v Manchester United is the perfect contest... now can they deliver?Barcelona v Manchester United - your complete guide to the Wembley line-ups  Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Jamie Carragher, Ryan Giggs, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Michael Carrick, Jose Mourinho, Andres Iniesta, Johan Cruyff, Wayne Rooney, Park Ji-sung, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves Places: Barcelona, Moscow, Istanbul, Rome, France, Germany, South Africa, Brazil, Europe

Barcelona ambush revealed - how they beat United in 2009 Champions League final

Sir Alex Ferguson has already revealed his aggressive side once this week and history would suggest he needs to do so again at Wembley.  He has to draw on his attacking instincts, return to an approach that has proved so effective in the past and target what he considers to be Barcelona's weaknesses. Mental scars: Michael Carrick was tormented by Barcelona in 2009 final He employed more cautious tactics when he met Pep Guardiola's side in Rome in 2009 and it backfired badly. The plan, Sportsmail can reveal, was a simple one. To have the security of a five-man midfield that included Wayne Rooney on the flank while targeting Gerard Pique and what they considered a flaw in Victor Valdes.  Barcelona's goalkeeper, they had concluded after studying extensive video footage, was not the best at holding shots from distance and part of Cristiano Ronaldo's remit was to put the theory to the test. A former United player, Pique was someone they also thought they could exploit. In the end, it was Barcelona's gameplan that worked beautifully. While Pique was imperious and Valdes solid, Guardiola's decision to focus on making it difficult for Michael Carrick to use his right foot proved devastatingly effective. The Englishman was neutralised, his inability to pass with his usual fluency and accuracy taking him out of the game. Carrick was a tormented figure that night, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets leaving him with mental scars from which he has seemingly only just recovered. But Ferguson has said he understands what went wrong and it will be interesting to see how he tries to avoid the same thing happening to Carrick again. 'We were disappointed we lost the game two years ago,' said Ferguson. 'We made one or two mistakes but our preparation has been better this time.' Harsh lesson: Ferguson insists he knows what went wrong in Rome For all Darren Fletcher's recent health problems, one does have to wonder if United's manager will spring a surprise and use the one player perfectly equipped for combating that marvellous Barcelona midfield. It would be tough on Carrick,  particularly when he was as impressive as he was against Chelsea this month. But Barcelona are sure to target him in much the same way and Ferguson must be mindful of that. The key to making this final the gran clasico Ferguson envisages is finding a way of easing the burden on whoever lines up in United's midfield by putting Barcelona's defence under more pressure by unleashing Rooney and Javier Hernandez in much the same manner they did against Chelsea in the quarter-final. 'As we always do, we recognise the quality of our opponents,' said Ferguson in response to the question of whether he would meet fire with fire. 'It's unwise not to prepare for strengths and weaknesses. Every team we play gets that respect. But we have to focus on ourselves. We have the players to do it and the attacking players we need on show tomorrow will be there.' History says Ferguson's sides are at their best in Europe when they are more cavalier. In 1999 they were a wonderfully adventurous team. When Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole struggled to break through Bayern Munich's defence in the Nou Camp final he took off Cole and Jesper Blomqvist and sent on two more strikers in Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. They became the two most celebrated substitutions in Ferguson's time as manager. In 2008 he was just as ambitious. When many expected the manager to start with Rooney and Ronaldo but leave Carlos Tevez on the bench, Ferguson selected all three. All gold: Fergie was rewarded for an ambitious approach in 2008 Tonight, as Ferguson tries to match Bob Paisley as only the second manager to win three European Cups, he needs to be just as bold, instructing Hernandez to combine with Rooney and focus, in particular, on Javier Mascherano, a diminutive midfielder who is expected to remain at centre half with Guardiola opting to push Carles Puyol to left back to cover for the absent Eric Abidal.  Puyol is a super player but Antonio Valencia might just fancy his chances of creating problems for the Catalan side down that flank too.  But, as Ferguson said, they still have to be as defensively solid as they have been on their travels in Europe. They still have to find a way of limiting opportunities for possibly the finest attack the world has seen. As well as providing a service to Rooney and Hernandez, Valencia and Park Ji-sung will be tasked with chasing down Lionel Messi and  supporting the midfielders in their defensive duties. It will certainly challenge Ryan Giggs as a central midfielder, however impressive he has been this season. Flanked by the two centre halves Sir Bobby Charlton considers the finest in United's history, there was a quiet confidence about Ferguson last night - a sense that the preparation had gone well and that he did indeed have a plan which he worked on last week when he organised the reserves to play like Barcelona and had Michael Owen performing the David Villa role.  Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic sat either side of their manager like two nightclub bouncers and had the look of two men who understood exactly what was required. History is United's travelling companion here at Wembley, and there was a wonderful moment when one of the heroes of 1968 interrupted Ferguson with the ring-tone on his phone. Paddy Crerand's mobile plays Clive Tyldesley's commentary of Solskjaer's winner at the Nou Camp, which would suggest the Scotsman has some grasp of technology even if he cursed that he could not turn the device off. It served as a reminder of how these occasions often play out. How the hero can be an unlikely one. Solskjaer in 1999, John Aston in 1968. Ferguson seems to think this evening will not necessarily be about the individual, about Messi and Rooney vying for the right to claim Wembley, a stadium Ferguson described as 'a symbol of English football', as their own. He thinks it is about the team. 'The great quality of this team is their unity,' he said. 'Our record in Europe has been very good this year. We've found a good way of playing. 'They are different from other teams we have had in some ways, but not a great deal of change from 2009. What is important is that we are far more experienced now. The players are more mature. The experience and progress this year gives us a good chance.' As does Ferguson's aggressive nature.  Barcelona v Manchester United is the perfect contest... now can they deliver?Barcelona v Manchester United - your complete guide to the Wembley line-upsWe will win classic Champions League final, insists United boss Ferguson  Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs, Gerard Pique, Xavi, Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Lionel Messi, Darren Fletcher, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andy Cole, Nemanja Vidic, Andres Iniesta, Carlos Tevez, Dwight Yorke, Wayne Rooney, Park Ji-sung, Rio Ferdinand Places: Barcelona, Rome, Europe

Vidic - 'Its Not All About Messi'.

Nemanja Vidic says that United cannot just concentrate on stopping Lionel Messi as Barcelona have too many other good players on the pitch. The Reds captain knows that if his team mates become too obsessed with Messi, it just opens the doors for other good players to come up and do some damage. When United lost to Barca in 2009, Messi scored and Vidic and co are not likely to forget it, but they will also be keeping their eyes on others. “Messi is a great player and is really hard to stop,” said Vidic. “But I would not underestimate the other players they have like Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta, they’re really good players who can produce good performances in the vital games. “It is not just about one player. It’s about stopping Barcelona as a team.”

Best two teams in final - Scholes

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has no doubts Saturday's Champions League final against Barcelona represents a clash between the best two teams in Europe.

Pep Guardiola's Barca have been acknowledged as number one in the world for some considerable time now. It has taken rather longer for United's attributes to be acknowledged. Some still refuse to, but - after four titles in five seasons and a third appearance on the greatest stage in four years - Scholes feels United are equally deserving of the accolade.

"There is no doubt the two best teams have made it to the final," said the 36-year-old. "Barcelona are the ultimate. They are what we all look to and want to play like. But our football can be just as good as theirs at times. We have a lot of quality too."

He added: "Both teams want to go forward and score goals, so I don't think anyone could ask for a bigger or a better final."

Suspended in 1999, Scholes finally collected a winners' medal in his own right nine years later in Moscow.

He was only introduced as a late substitute against Barcelona a year later and could not change the course of a final that had already turned against his team in Rome.

"There is a determination to make sure that doesn't happen again," said Scholes of a night filled with regret. "It wasn't a nice night and the summer afterwards felt very long. This time we intend to at least give it a go."

Scholes is still to reveal his intentions for next season, having so far refused to say whether he is going to accept the option of another one-year contract.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes he will. Others are not so sure.

Strangely, the statistics bear out a belief Scholes remains an integral figure, even though he will start Saturday's match on the bench. Twenty three starts and nine substitute appearances is not a bad return for someone who was absent for nine games anyway due to a groin injury that took some time to shift.

Edwin van der Sar desperate to end career on a high

Edwin van der Sar is determined not to end his career with a never-ending sense of 'what if'. After an emotional farewell at Old Trafford on Sunday, which itself came after what Sir Alex Ferguson described as 'a wobble', the 40-year-old will play his final game this weekend when Manchester United tackle Barcelona in the Champions League final. It will be the fifth time he has been involved in such an occasion, a record for a goalkeeper, with his personal statistics standing at two won and two lost. But the man who lifted the UEFA Cup as a 21-year-old with Ajax is experienced enough to know it is the failures that gnaw at the soul. Determined: Edwin van der Sar wants to end his career on a high And with no way of making amends, it is even more crucial United should emerge victorious. 'You do think more about things you lose than what you win,' said the veteran Dutchman. 'When you have won, your medal goes into the cupboard or the safe in the bank. 'But when you lose, you know something has slipped through your fingers. It makes you more determined.' Not that Van der Sar is entirely comfortable discussing what is going to happen after this weekend. Always one of the more straightforward characters in the United dressing room, the former Juventus star gives the impression of spending the least amount of time possible considering it. 'It is a big day for everyone involved in Manchester United, not just me,' he said. Veterans: van der Sar (40) with Ryan Giggs (37) 'It is always nice when you get respect and there have been some jokes from the kit man and the masseur saying this is the last time they are going to do anything for me. 'It was fantastic to be able to say goodbye to the fans at Old Trafford on Sunday too. 'That wouldn't happen if you got transferred out of nowhere, so it was a good experience. 'But really I am just looking forward to Saturday now. 'This game is what we have been working so hard to prepare for. And really, it doesn't matter whether it is your first game or your last, you want to win matches like this one.' In fact, Van der Sar's instinctive reaction to the thought of defeat is to shudder at the prospect of leaving his house. For the man whose penalty save from Nicolas Anelka in the Moscow rain three years ago turned him into a lifelong hero of the Stretford End realises the extreme emotions felt by victors and vanquished. Two out of four: van der Sar saves Nicola Anelka's penalty in 2008 to win the Champions League final Fifth time lucky? van der Sar has already appeared in four finals, winning two 'If we win I won't want to go home. If I lose I won't want to leave home,' he said. 'Maybe it sounds strange but I just wouldn't want to see anyone.' In a sense, Van der Sar's European career has been in extra time since he joined United in 2005. At 34, having just completed four years at Fulham, he hardly imagined to spend any more time at the top. Even at Craven Cottage though, it did cross his mind that he might one day return to the stage he enjoyed so much as a youngster. 'I played a few years at Fulham and remember watching Chelsea's Champions League matches against Bayern Munich and Barcelona and thinking it would be great to be playing those kind of games again,' he said. 'Thankfully I have managed to do that at United and it is nice that my final match should be on an occasion such as this.' Withtwo weeks to prepare since they clinched the Premier League title at Blackburn, there will be no excuse if Ferguson's side perform as poorly as they did in Rome a couple of years ago. Vander Sar accepts there is not much he can do if things start to go as badly in front of him as they did at the Stadio Olimpico that night. However, as Ferguson has championed the veteran's communication skills, both before and during the game, Van der Sar knows there is a role to fulfil that goes beyond saving shots. 'You hope to bring your 'A' game to a final,' he said. 'For that you need everything, saves, communication skills, experience and motivation skills. 'It must all go together to make sure you defend well. 'In that sense, preparation is the same as if you were playing Wigan. The difference is in the intensity because nothing beats this game.'  From Stockport to ruling Europe? United board the train to Champions League glorBarca may be favourites but never bet against Sir Alex, warns DalglishWenger's foe Kassai to take charge of Champions League finalAll the latest Man United news, features and opinion  Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Edwin Van Der Sar, Nicolas Anelka Places: Barcelona, Rome, Moscow