Alex Ferguson said Manchester United would solve the problem of how to deal with Lionel Messi ahead of his Champions League final showdown with Barcelona on Saturday.
Messi stole the show for Barcelona two years ago, when the Spanish giants outclassed favourites United to win the 2009 final in Rome.
Since then, the diminutive Argentinian has gone from strength to strength, firmly establishing himself as the world’s best footballer.
Ferguson insisted, however, that United would not allow themselves to become obsessed with a game-plan to shackle the South American maestro.
“We have played against Barcelona three times with Messi in the team,” Ferguson told a press conference at United’s training ground.
“But there is always a solution to every good player. Hopefully, we can find one on Saturday. They have other good players though, and so do we. That is why it is such an appealing game.
“I am sure Barcelona are aware of that.”
United’s preparations have been jolted by the legal furore involving veteran Ryan Giggs, named by a British MP as the footballer who had sought to prevent details of an alleged affair being published.
Married father-of-two Giggs was one of several first-team players who did not attend United’s training session at Carrington, where a scrum of photographers awaited his arrival yesterday.
Ferguson gave a blunt response when asked to assess Giggs’s importance to United.
“All the players are important to us, every one of them,” he said.
Ferguson, meanwhile, dismissed suggestions that Barcelona would carry a psychological advantage into the Wembley final after being installed as favourites by the bookmakers.
“There is no advantage,” Ferguson said.
“It doesn’t matter. We don’t decide those things. I know my players will be ready.”
Ferguson believes, however, that Barcelona are now a stronger side than the team which beat United two years ago.
“I think they have more maturity about their team now. Winning that European Cup was a big step forward for them as a team,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Barcelona squad were due to fly to London late yesterday, two days earlier than planned, due to the disruption to air travel caused by the ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano.
The club had intended to leave tomorrow.