Barcelona Vs. Manchester United Match Preview

Edwin Van der Sar is in line to return to the Manchester United team for the Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona.

The Holland goalkeeper travelled to Spain with the rest of the squad this morning after missing the draw against Blackburn because of a groin strain.

Wayne Rooney suffered a hip injury in that match but he too joined the squad and looks certain to feature at the Nou Camp.

Owen Hargreaves and Anderson are also in contention after they were ruled out of the game at Ewood Park with minor injuries.

Gary Neville made his first trip abroad in a year after a long-standing ankle problem while Darren Fletcher was also in the party as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his players have the potential to shape their own destiny and enter Old Trafford's `Hall of Fame'.

However, he has resisted the temptation to take his vibrant squad down memory lane as he returned to the city which hosted a never-to-be-forgotten Champions League final.

Nine years ago Ferguson's side recorded an astonishing last-gasp victory against Bayern Munich thanks to goals from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham to lift the trophy.

And on Wednesday they return to the Nou Camp for the first time since that memorable night.

This time Barcelona provide the opposition in the semi-final first leg of Europe's top club competition.

Ferguson insists his squad do not need a history lesson. Instead he tipped his players to set their own benchmark.

"It is almost 10 years since we won the final,'' said the United boss.

"The team of today do not need to worry about the past and be reminded of the past.

"They have seen the game many times on video and television, so I do not think it is lost on any of them.

"What is more important is that they can shape their own history. I think they are good enough to do that.''

United went out at the semi-final stage to AC Milan last season but Ferguson insists they are much better equipped to go the distance this time around.

The likes of Owen Hargreaves and Carlos Tevez arrived in the summer along with outstanding prospects Nani and Anderson to boost the playing pool.

With 38-goal Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney showing remarkable maturity this season, United have good reason to go forward with confidence.

Ferguson said: "We are in a much stronger position this year in terms of the energy of the team, not to mention the ability in it.

"Last season we played much the same team every week because of injuries.

"Now we have bigger squad, you can see the difference and how it has helped us.''

Johan Cruyff believes Barcelona must eradicate the errors which have blighted their Primera Liga season if they are to have any chance of beating Manchester United in the Champions League semi-finals.

Having slipped well off the pace in the league in recent weeks, the Catalans now host United on Wednesday in the first leg of the last-four tie and Cruyff warns they cannot make mistakes.

"Barcelona will have to do things well. If there aren't any stupidities, the tie is there to be won,'' said Cruyff, who achieved legendary status after hugely successful spells as a player and a coach at the Nou Camp.

Frank Rijkaard's side have not won any of their last four league games and are now 11 points adrift of arch rivals Real Madrid in the race for the title.

However, Cruyff hopes the Catalans can rediscover their best form in Europe.

"If Barcelona play like they know how, they have a chance of getting to Moscow (for the Champions League final next month).

"Even though they are stumbling in the league and have literally thrown away the title, my thoughts don't change. Europe is another story, another competition. There is a different mentality and I believe it will be an even tie.''