Wayne leads the way in training on Wednesday
Vidic is also putting in the hard yards
Berbatov decides to have a go at the javelin
Scholesy's dry-slope skiing, or just having a breather
The key men? Sir Alex and Ronny plot Barca's downfall
The perks of being captain
Meanwhile Giggsy shares a joke at the press conference
They say Tevez will tackle anyone, but this is ridiculous
Thursday
12:36 Support is growing on Talking Reds for Tevez to start in Rome. Meanwhile, Steve Bartram has slyly slipped me a piece of paper, like we're in an episode of The West Wing, but alas there's no instructions to invade Qumar, it's only his chosen starting XI. He's picked the exact same team as Paul and Gemma (lazy), with a front three of Park, Ronaldo, Rooney. I'm sticking with Ronny, Berbatov, Rooney, because Berbatov is brilliant at keeping possession. I don't think United will go gung-ho, either, as much as we'd like to see it. There isn't much between our attack and Barca's, but our defence is better - I think that'll be the difference. (BH)
09:01 Great news about Rio. He says in this morning's papers: "I'm fine." So, what were we worrying about? He's still got to prove his fitness to the big man on Sunday, though. The rain is absolutely pelting down here in Manchester - the weather in Rome? No clouds, bright sunshine, 21oC. Roll on next week (BH).
Wednesday
15:23 Training pics are on the gallery. Click the main image to see the lads in training (BH)
15:01 Just back from the afternoon session at Carrington's media day. As Ben said there was certainly a good press turn-out from all over the world - Spain, Argentina, Brazil, France... I spoke to Anderson, Carrick, van der Sar, Vidic, O'Shea and Park, they were all in good spirits. Ando borrowed my dictaphone at one point and pretended to interview Patrice Evra. Pat was talking to a group of journalists at the time and burst out laughing! As well as the players, I chatted with some of the press who were split on how they think the final will go. Many believe United are better, but Barca might sneak it. Others fully expect us to be the first team to retain the trophy. We all pray they're right! (Gemma Thompson)
11:17 Despite the doubt over Rio's injury, the boss boss says he knows his team for the final. "I'm close to it. You have to assess your opponent's strengths and think about which players are in form. But I think I've got my team." (BH)
10:40 Back in the office after the press conference, I have to say the boss was in great form. There were at least 587 journalists packed into the small balcony area in the Academy building, and there's nobody better at holding court in such situations. He looked calm and in control - a point he himself made. He admitted to "never being in control" when he first came to United, but now he is - something that comes with success. He also reitereated his point that United haven't won enough European trophies, and says four European Cups would sound much better. 18 league titles, four European Cups - sounds good, doesn't it? (BH)
09:55 I'm a little uneasy after hearing today's news about Rio. Sounds like it's touch-and-go with his calf injury. Come 3pm on Sunday when the boss announces his side to face Hull, I pray Rio's on the teamsheet. If not, I wouldn't give up hope, though: The manager's said he won't play in Rome if he doesn't play at Hull, but it wouldn't be the first time he's put one over on the press, would it? (Nick Coppack) And all the talk in the papers about United being sued if we put out a weakened team on Sunday; I wonder what Newcastle, Boro, Hull and Sunderland fans make of Rio's impending selection?! (Ian McLeish)
Tuesday
17:02 There's plenty of activity at Carrington on Wednesday; it's Champions League final press day. Sir Alex briefs the media at 9am, then after training the players are herded like cattle in front of lots of news-hungry journos with microphones. So we'll bring you an update from that. (BH)
13:30 Eight days to go and we're already discussing the final line-up in the office. Here's my prediction (post yours on Talking Reds):
Paul Davies (4-3-3): Van der Sar; O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Anderson, Carrick, Giggs; Park, Ronaldo, Rooney.
Subs: Kuszczak, Neville, Evans, Scholes, Nani, Tevez, Berbatov.
Why? I found it easy to pick my team: the one that devastated Arsenal in the semis, but Giggsy's in for the suspended Fletcher. Park missed out in Moscow, but I think he’ll be the first Korean to play in a final, and key to how we play: hardworking, with pacey counter-attacks. Toughest choice was Gary Nev or Rafael on the bench – I went for experience.
12:36 Support is growing on Talking Reds for Tevez to start in Rome. Meanwhile, Steve Bartram has slyly slipped me a piece of paper, like we're in an episode of The West Wing, but alas there's no instructions to invade Qumar, it's only his chosen starting XI. He's picked the exact same team as Paul and Gemma (lazy), with a front three of Park, Ronaldo, Rooney. I'm sticking with Ronny, Berbatov, Rooney, because Berbatov is brilliant at keeping possession. I don't think United will go gung-ho, either, as much as we'd like to see it. There isn't much between our attack and Barca's, but our defence is better - I think that'll be the difference. (BH)
09:01 Great news about Rio. He says in this morning's papers: "I'm fine." So, what were we worrying about? He's still got to prove his fitness to the big man on Sunday, though. The rain is absolutely pelting down here in Manchester - the weather in Rome? No clouds, bright sunshine, 21oC. Roll on next week (BH).
Wednesday
15:23 Training pics are on the gallery. Click the main image to see the lads in training (BH)
15:01 Just back from the afternoon session at Carrington's media day. As Ben said there was certainly a good press turn-out from all over the world - Spain, Argentina, Brazil, France... I spoke to Anderson, Carrick, van der Sar, Vidic, O'Shea and Park, they were all in good spirits. Ando borrowed my dictaphone at one point and pretended to interview Patrice Evra. Pat was talking to a group of journalists at the time and burst out laughing! As well as the players, I chatted with some of the press who were split on how they think the final will go. Many believe United are better, but Barca might sneak it. Others fully expect us to be the first team to retain the trophy. We all pray they're right! (Gemma Thompson)
11:17 Despite the doubt over Rio's injury, the boss boss says he knows his team for the final. "I'm close to it. You have to assess your opponent's strengths and think about which players are in form. But I think I've got my team." (BH)
10:40 Back in the office after the press conference, I have to say the boss was in great form. There were at least 587 journalists packed into the small balcony area in the Academy building, and there's nobody better at holding court in such situations. He looked calm and in control - a point he himself made. He admitted to "never being in control" when he first came to United, but now he is - something that comes with success. He also reitereated his point that United haven't won enough European trophies, and says four European Cups would sound much better. 18 league titles, four European Cups - sounds good, doesn't it? (BH)
09:55 I'm a little uneasy after hearing today's news about Rio. Sounds like it's touch-and-go with his calf injury. Come 3pm on Sunday when the boss announces his side to face Hull, I pray Rio's on the teamsheet. If not, I wouldn't give up hope, though: The manager's said he won't play in Rome if he doesn't play at Hull, but it wouldn't be the first time he's put one over on the press, would it? (Nick Coppack) And all the talk in the papers about United being sued if we put out a weakened team on Sunday; I wonder what Newcastle, Boro, Hull and Sunderland fans make of Rio's impending selection?! (Ian McLeish)
Tuesday
17:02 There's plenty of activity at Carrington on Wednesday; it's Champions League final press day. Sir Alex briefs the media at 9am, then after training the players are herded like cattle in front of lots of news-hungry journos with microphones. So we'll bring you an update from that. (BH)
13:30 Eight days to go and we're already discussing the final line-up in the office. Here's my prediction (post yours on Talking Reds):
Paul Davies (4-3-3): Van der Sar; O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Anderson, Carrick, Giggs; Park, Ronaldo, Rooney.
Subs: Kuszczak, Neville, Evans, Scholes, Nani, Tevez, Berbatov.
Why? I found it easy to pick my team: the one that devastated Arsenal in the semis, but Giggsy's in for the suspended Fletcher. Park missed out in Moscow, but I think he’ll be the first Korean to play in a final, and key to how we play: hardworking, with pacey counter-attacks. Toughest choice was Gary Nev or Rafael on the bench – I went for experience.
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