World Kick Off

It was clear kick-off could not come soon enough for Manchester United FC manager Sir Alex Ferguson when he arrived 20 minutes early for his press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League final at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

English rivals
Ten days since the Premier League campaign closed, Chelsea FC and United cannot wait to resume a rivalry that has outgrown their domestic game. The European title is at stake for two teams who have been English champions twice apiece in the last four years. "We have an illustrious history, but there is a weakness in how many European trophies we have won. I hope we can go some way to making that better," Sir Alex said.

Sir Alex 'proud'
History follows United at every step. Sir Alex led his side to UEFA Champions League glory in 1999, and a third European crown beckons 40 years after Sir Matt Busby's team lifted club football's most prestigious prize. It is also 50 years since the Munich air disaster and United's manager said he was "proud to be following in the footsteps" of those who had died that day – members of the first English side to compete in the European Champion Clubs' Cup. "We will not let them down," he promised.

'We feel at home'
United's opponents in this first all-English final may be familiar, but this is a trip into the unknown for Chelsea, a chance to start building the tradition they so crave. Finishing runners-up to United on the domestic stage has supplied added incentive to land the trophy their Russian owner Roman Abramovich covets most. How fitting if the revolution his wealth has wrought on the English game reaches its climax in Moscow. "We feel at home here, I must say," Chelsea coach Avram Grant said. "It's a nice feeling." Chelsea may be contesting their first UEFA Champions League final yet six former winners could start for the Londoners; United feature five among their ranks.

Contrasting experience
It is on the bench, however, that experience may tell the most. "I'm relaxed and I should be," Sir Alex said. "It's my fourth European final. I've got to use my experience and hopefully composure to help everyone else." The Scot's 1999 success came long before the Premier League had established its continental dominance and he will attempt to keep United one step ahead by joining a select band of coaches to have claimed the European Cup twice. By contrast, this is Grant's 12th match in the competition proper. According to the Israeli, though, longevity can only take you so far. "It's more important that the players are hungry and my players are very, very hungry to win."

Cole scare
Chelsea suffered a scare in training when Ashley Cole hurt his right ankle after a tackle by Claude Makelele. Although the left-back continued after strapping was applied, Wayne Bridge will be on standby should the problem prove serious. Each team is otherwise at full strength. Chelsea won their most recent meeting in April but United had the last laugh in the domestic championship. Now, in Russia, it will be intriguing to see if the Reds can seize power again. If not, the vodka will be on Mr Abramovich. Grant said: "I'm not a drinker but in this case it will be OK. I will drink more than one glass." (uefa.com)