Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak are both capable of filling Edwin van der Sar’s shoes.

That’s why the Manchester United manager has ruled out bringing in a more experienced goalkeeper with the Dutchman expected to be sidelined for up to 10 weeks as his broken fingers heal.

Ferguson has yet to name his preferred choice against Chelsea in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday but insisted: “I have no interest in anyone else. I am definitely happy with what I have got.

“Strangely Ben Amos also broke a finger training with England’s youth team, so he is out of the question but we can also call on Tom Heaton.”

Ferguson would not be drawn on whether he would be naming a regular starter between the posts while Van der Sar recovers. Both Foster and Kuszczak played a half in the 2-0 victory against Valencia in midweek.

“It depends on performances really,” said the Old Trafford boss. “If you have watched the games Ben and Tomasz have played, Tomasz has had more activity and therefore more saves to make. But I will speak to both of them about the situation.

“We have a selection dilemma as to who plays in goal on Sunday. It is not an easy one for me.”

Ferguson will be without three key defenders against Chelsea and confirmed that Nemanja Vidic will miss the start of the Barclays Premier League season.

Vidic has been ruled out of the Shield showpiece and the following game with Birmingham because of a calf injury.

Wes Brown is also sidelined this weekend with a thigh problem but is expected back for the opening league match while Gary Neville is unavailable because of a groin strain.

Ferguson said: “Neither Wes nor Nemanja have long-term injuries. I would expect Wes to be fit for the game a week on Sunday.

“As for Vidic he pulled his calf in the warm-up in Munich (against Bayern Munich) and is two weeks away.

“Gary is doing a little bit of training and coming on fine but I do not think he will make Sunday.”

Ferguson believes his players are ahead of schedule in terms of fitness as they head for the national stadium. They are looking to retain the trophy after defeating Portsmouth on penalties last season.

He said: “Over the years we have treated the Shield as a barometer for players’ fitness. We felt certain players needed games. I am not looking at it that way now.

“I feel the players’ fitness is very good. They’ve all had the appropriate minutes on the clock so all those involved on Sunday will be at a good level.

“We should be able to give a good account of ourselves. When you play against Chelsea you want to win as pride comes into it. We will try to do that.”

Ferguson has taken heart from the pre-season programme of playing in Asia - although the Indonesia leg was cancelled - and in the Audi Cup in Germany.

He added: “It was our best pre-season in terms of going to the Far East because it is never easy going there in terms of recovery.

“We did not spend too long in the one place and that helped. Possibly not going to Indonesia was a blessing for us.

“The four days we spent in Munich on the way back gave us time to recover. Also the training facilities were better, so it worked well for us.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has blamed his side’s poor defending as key to their 2-0 Champions League final loss to Barcelona.

Goals from Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi gave the Spanish side their third Champions Cup and stopped United from becoming the first club to retain the trophy in its current format.

But it was the first goal after nine minutes when Eto’o was allowed to turn inside Nemanja Vidic and plant a right-foot shot past goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar which angered Ferguson in particular.

Ferguson said: “In our best performances this season we have defended very well, but the defending tonight was shoddy.

“The first goal didn’t help. It gave them the opportunity to keep possession. We didn’t plan to lose a goal early and we didn’t deal with it well enough. That was the story. To lose a goal like that was a bad goal. It was a disappointing performance and some individuals will feel it themselves.”

Ferguson threw on Carlos Tevez for Anderson and Dimitar Berbatov for Ji-Sung Park in a bid to turn around the match in the second-half but United’s hopes were shattered when Xavi Hernandez crossed for Messi to send a looping header beyond the reach of Van der Sar for his ninth goal in the competition this season.

Xavi also struck a post and Thierry Henry and Carles Puyol brought fine saves from Van der Sar as Barcelona ran out convincing winners.

Ferguson claimed he was not surprised with the way Barcelona approached the game, even when they swapped Messi from a wide position up front into midfield.

And he put the blame for the loss squarely on his own players.

Ferguson said: “The disappointment was the use of the ball when we got possession. You have to wait minutes to get it back off them. Could be it was an off night. Could be it was a mountain too big to climb.

“We knew what a good football team they were. We had difficulty in defending against them. Messi dropped into midfield and they kept possession and made it difficult for us.”

Cristiano Ronaldo collected a yellow card for a foul on Puyol and it was a disappointing match for the United winger who went close with a couple of long-range shots but too often let his exasperation get the better of him.

Ferguson also admitted United missed the protective presence of Darren Fletcher in midfield who was suspended after being sent off harshly against Arsenal in the semi-final.

“He is one big-game player,” said Ferguson. “It was a loss but they had losses also. And it is difficult to measure how big a loss it was.

“We’ve done well to get to the final, but we had to win it. It was a big opportunity for us. With the players we have we expected better, but losing the first goal was decisive for us. We couldn’t recover from that.”

Ferguson, however, was generous in his praise of Barcelona and their manager, Pep Guardiola, who also won the Champions League as a player with Barcelona.

“You have to give credit to a very good Barcelona team,” said Ferguson. “If they get in front of you they are very difficult to beat. They kept possession of the ball and made it very difficult to get back.

“When we did get possession we didn’t do well with it. Credit to them, the better team won.”

On Guardiola, who has guided Barcelona to a treble of league title, domestic Cup and Champions League, he added: “It is a great achievement as a coach in his first year. Well done. Fantastic. Everybody enjoys their football and it is great credit to him.”

Guardiola, who becomes the first man to win the Champions Cup as a player and a manager with the same club, said: “I am very happy, very excited. We have done something magnificent. We attacked, we defended and we won. We are are the best team in the world. We wanted to say we played and were not cowards and the players have done a great job.”

The Barcelona boss also insisted Messi had proved he was the best footballer in the world for a goal-scoring performance which eclipsed Ronaldo.

Guardiola said: “Even if we had lost it wouldn’t have changed my opinion. I think he is the best player and he should add his name to the gold ball (world player of the year). We didn’t need to win to know he is the best.

“Messi has a talent and he will never hide. When the going gets tough he really starts moving.”

Guardiola also explained why he withdrew Messi from a forward position into midfield, a tactic which wrested control of the match.

“”We didn’t expect Manchester United to press so high,” said Guardiola. “We had problems with our build-up and I saw Messi had problems and that’s why I put him in midfield.

“They tried to keep the ball with Vidic and Ferdinand and Michael Carrick but we controlled things very well. The most important thing was that when we attacked our defence paid attention to Ronaldo, Rooney and Berbatov in the second half.”

Guardiola dedicated the win to his big pal, AC Milan’s recently retired Paolo Maldini, saying: “He’s the best European player of the last 20 years, at least in defence.”

Sir Alex Ferguson is trusting the players of Man United and Barcelona to put on a show to remember in Rome.

Ferguson’s two previous Champions League wins have come attached with a heavy dose of nostalgia given that miraculous comeback in the Nou Camp in 1999 came on what would have been Sir Matt Busby’s 90th birthday.

Last season in Moscow, United produced the most fitting tribute to the 50th anniversary of the air crash at Munich by lifting European football’s biggest club prize once more.

There are other reasons to crave a win this time around, Busby’s 100th birthday yesterday for a start.

Yet Ferguson is ready to let his players do the work themselves, knowing if the powerhouses of England and Spain fulfil their immense potential, it could be an all-time classic.

“You had a feeling that night in Barcelona and obviously there was fate attached to last year as well,” said the United boss.

“That happens. But I think this type of game might be beyond fate.

“It has the capability to be a fantastic final.”

Merely by electing to wear white shirts, Ferguson had to answer comparisons with the last team to face Barcelona facing such a colour, Real Madrid, who were promptly beaten 6-2 in their own Bernabeu backyard.

“That wasn’t a defeat, it was annihilation,” said Ferguson, before adding pointedly: “We are very happy playing white and we are better than Madrid!”

United have proved their strengths at home and abroad all season.

Their performances may have been lacking some of the sparkle from 12 months ago. But they have developed a tenacity and refusal to yield that might well come in handy tomorrow if they find themselves in the rare position of facing opponents who dominate possession.

“Neither team will want to give the ball away,” he said. “That will make it a very interesting game.

“What we do with it compared to our opponents and how long we can keep it will be the deciding factor.”

Before the 1999 epic, Ferguson famously warned his players not to leave themselves in the position of being able to see the most prestigious of trophies without being able to touch it.

The Scot is searching for similar inspiring words of wisdom, although so far they have proved elusive.

“These things usually happen to me about three in the morning when I am trying to get some inspiration from the deep chambers of my tiny little brain,” he said. “But at the moment nothing is coming out.”

Even at 67 it seems Ferguson is not beyond a sleepless night or two.

The truth is the enormity of what United can achieve in this most historic of cities should inspire all his players.

Title winners three times in succession, the Red Devils are bidding to add back-to-back European Cups.

No side has achieved it since the tournament was rebranded as the Champions League in 1992.

“I cannot explain why it hasn’t been done,” he said.

“In the history of the European Cup it was done regularly. Some won it two or three times in a row. There were cycles of teams winning it like Ajax, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

“Now we have an opportunity to change that and hopefully we can take it.”

By changing it, United would get themselves a label any side would want. The label of being great.

It is not a discussion even the most aware of individuals like Rio Ferdinand wants to have, knowing talk can be cheap at this rarefied level of the game.

But if United win tomorrow, they will earn a place in history no-one will be able to erase.

“There have been a lot of unlucky teams in world football but when you look at the pantheon of great teams you need to have won the European Cup to have that tag,” said Ferguson.

“There is no question about that. It has always been that way.

“Teams like Manchester United and Barcelona have to win the trophy to be regarded in that respect.”

Jordi Cruyff is convinced Sir Alex Ferguson has a surprise up his sleeve for the Champions League final against Barcelona.

The former Manchester United forward, who progressed through the ranks at Barca, spent four years at Old Trafford, where Ferguson’s cunning impressed him.

And he has warned the Primera Division champions to expect the unexpected.

“Like the old fox that he is, he will have a surprise prepared to beat Barca,” Cruyff told RAC1. “In my time at Old Trafford he used to make incredible decisions and if he used an unexpected player he would usually get it right.

“He is unpredictable, but his gambles almost always work out.”

Much has been made of the so-called ‘dream final’ with Barca seeking an unprecedented treble, while United are looking to become the first team to retain the Champions League.

Seydou Keita believes that while there might not be a favourite, Barca will have the backing of most of the world and he has urged his team-mates to do their best to cap an incredible season.

“The season has been very good,” he told El Mundo. “But there’s still a small step remaining,

“We have to win. Spain, Catalunya, Barcelona, the whole world, will be very happy if we achieve it.”

Sir Alex Ferguson never thought about equalling Liverpool’s record of league championship wins when he joined Manchester United in 1986.

The Merseyside giants had finished top on 18 occasions before United managed their first triumph under Ferguson in 1993.

At the time, it seemed like a seminal moment in itself. Little could Ferguson have imagined that 16 years later he would stand on the brink of matching the Anfield outfit, who he famously told he would “knock off their perch” when he first came south from Aberdeen.

United will not knock Liverpool off their perch by getting the point against Arsenal tomorrow that would see them collect an 11th Premier League.

However, it will be enough to let them shuffle up alongside, knowing one more big shove could tumble Rafael Benitez’s men off altogether.

“I never even thought about moving level with Liverpool,” said Ferguson.

“My first intention was to win one and break the stranglehold Liverpool had on the title.

“You don’t think about how it would open the door in terms of what we see now. The big challenge was that first one.”

Ironically it took Arsenal’s assistance to prise away Liverpool’s dominance of the domestic game.

In winning titles under George Graham in 1989 and 1991, the Gunners showed United the correct path to follow.

They could not quite make it in 1992. But 12 months later began an era of unparalleled success, and it has taken just 17 seasons to complete 11 championship wins, compared to the 18 Liverpool managed it in from 1973.

“We were a long way behind in terms of titles won,” acknowledged Ferguson.

“But we were helped by Arsenal winning it a couple of times. That changed the picture a little bit.”

Ironically, United are venturing into new territory tomorrow.

Of those last 11 successes, only one was completed in front of their own fans at Old Trafford.

And in 1999 it was very much a do-or-die encounter with Tottenham, in which they trailed before David Beckham and Andy Cole scored the goals that sealed the first part of that historic treble.

This time around, the Red Devils approach their date with destiny knowing they have another - at Hull next Sunday - in reserve should things go wrong.

Nevertheless, Ferguson is eager to get the job done immediately, to give his players the maximum preparation time for the Champions League final with Barcelona in Rome on May 27.

The desire to put on a performance for the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, who was at United’s Carrington training ground this morning and will be in the director’s box to watch his favourite team tomorrow is a bonus, as is the strength of United’s opponents.

Arsenal may have suffered another fearful home battering by Chelsea since their own European dream was crushed by the Red Devils.

Yet Ferguson knows their presence should ensure no-one in his squad starts to think the job has already been completed.

“Arsenal are a threat,” he said.

“They are a good side with great potential which you cannot dismiss.

“Without question they will attack us. They will not change the way they play.

“We expected two good games in the semi-final and we got them and that is the way it will be tomorrow.

“They have had a bit of criticism recently and they will want to register their abilities on a day when everyone expects Manchester United to win the title.”

While Arsenal may well give a better account of themselves, few outside Anfield believe United will be denied now.

Rio Ferdinand’s ongoing calf problem means he will join Bolt in the stands, but everyone else will want to be involved to launch the trophy presentation in style.

“I have always said I don’t care where we win it,” said Ferguson.

“It is unusual and strange that we have won it four times elsewhere but only done it once out of 10 at Old Trafford.

“Now we have another opportunity to win it in front of our own fans tomorrow. It would be nice to do it.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels that Sir Alex Ferguson’s “real hunger” for success will never die.

Wenger takes his side to Old Trafford Saturday for what could well be a title party should United secure a point.

It would be a record-equalling 18th championship for United, and a an impressive 11th under the guidance of Ferguson.

Wenger’s once fiery relationship with his old adversary is now much more civil than when their two sides went directly head-to-head for the game’s top honours.

The Arsenal manager believes whenever the 67-year-old Scot finally does decide to call it a day - with the end of next season mooted as a possibility having originally announced his plan to retire in 2002 - he will remain a winner.

“I believe until the last day of your life, the real hunger never goes,” said Wenger, whose side have not won silverware since the 2005 FA Cup.

“That is nothing to do with the number of trophies you have won or the amount of money you have made.

“You either want to win in life, or you do not want to win in life. It is as simple as that.

“It is only difficult to accept for people who do not have that drive.

“People who do have that drive, understand that the only thing which matters at the end of the day is how much you want to be successful.”

Much like Arsenal, United went through a barren spell from 2003 to 2006 when they failed to land the domestic championship.

Now, United are on course for a third successive title, and last season claimed the Champions League for a second time under Ferguson, while also being crowned FIFA Club World Cup winners in December 2008.

Wenger noted: “United bounced back very well, and credit to them.

“They have bought very well and invested very well. Today, they look the best team in England - and they are.

“That is credit to Ferguson as well, but it also shows that nothing is definite, it can all turn very quickly.”

Things have certainly taken a different path over the past few season for the once all-conquering Gunners, who claimed the league title with victory at Old Trafford back in May 2002, as the trophy cabinet at the impressive Emirates Stadium remains void of fresh silverware.

Wenger said: “I believe we play now more for our future because of the way we finish the season and for our pride as well because we want to give them a top class game.”

Arsenal may have come up again short this season, but Wenger - who remained defiant when grilled by shareholders at a forum last night - insists there are plenty of reasons to be positive.

“I believe the group has come forward since November,” said Wenger, his team now secure in fourth place.

“We have had a long unbeaten run in the Premier League, but not mature enough to win the FA Cup or the Champions League.

“There are no regrets with my commitment, certainly not. I worked harder than ever this year.

“We do with our resources as well as we can.

“If we add people, they will be with experience.”

Wenger added: “I am here to produce what I can. If it is not good enough, it is not good enough.

“At the end of the day you can give as much as you can and it is down to other people to assess the situation.”

Arsenal are now led by 22-year-old Cesc Fabregas.

The Spaniard spent some three months on the sidelines earlier this season, but Wenger remains confident his best is yet to come.

“He is a player who cares about results and nobody comes back 100%. You will see the real Cesc Fabregas next season,” the Arsenal manager said.

“Cesc has been very strong mentally and resolute and determined, has given as much as he can.

“At the start it [captaincy] is a burden, but can he absorb it and do that job.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has distanced Manchester United from suggestions they could ask Carlos Tevez to break his contract with Kia Joorabchian.

United are trying to broker a deal that would keep Tevez at Old Trafford beyond the end of his present ‘leasing’ agreement, which is due to expire at the end of the month.

With Ferguson admitting after Wednesday’s win at Wigan that negotiations were more complicated because United were having to deal with Joorabchian rather than a club to gain Tevez’s registration, it was claimed the Old Trafford outfit may use European law to break the deal between the player and his trusted advisor.

The move would be unlikely to work anyway, such is the bond that exists between Tevez and Joorabchian, and Ferguson confirmed it is not a route he intends to go down.

“We could all break our contracts,” he said.

“I am not discussing anything like that. It is a bit far-fetched really.”

While United feel Tevez wants to stay at Old Trafford, Joorabchian has suggested the 25-year-old is keen to leave in the summer.

Certainly the £22million remaining to be paid on a previously agreed fee may begin to look small alongside the cash Tevez and Joorabchian could pocket elsewhere, especially if Manchester City pursue an interest.

However, Ferguson is reverting to previous policy and letting discussions run their course without any further intervention.

“There was a meeting with (chief executive) David Gill on Wednesday, that is a clear fact,” he said.

“They discussed the avenue under which Carlos could stay with Manchester United. End of story.

“I realise you (the media) speak to his agent but I do not wish to discuss the matter any further.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has eyes only for his own side as the Premier League title race draws to a close.

After losing the leadership to Liverpool on Saturday night, Manchester United seem to have now made the decisive move thanks to their 2-0 derby win over local rivals City at Old Trafford.

With a three-point lead and a game in hand, it seems unlikely the Red Devils will not collect a win and draw to clinch a record-equalling 18th league championship, quite probably before the Merseysiders are next in action.

Ferguson has not given any indication of being a man under pressure. And he confirmed the last few weeks have only provided him with extra focus for what would personally be an 11th title.

“Liverpool played first this weekend, as they have done a lot of times. But what does it matter?” said Ferguson.

“All we need to worry about is doing our own job.

“It is not as if we are going into the unknown. We are in a situation we find ourselves in almost every season: challenging for the league.”

Given United have won all eight previous meetings with Wigan, to a combined scoring total of 23-3, it is hard to believe Steve Bruce’s men - beaten at West Brom on Saturday - will present much resistance at the JJB Stadium on Wednesday night.

Before that, Ferguson should have privately addressed the storm which erupted around both his latest goalscorers.

Carlos Tevez had already made his feelings known in the morning, claiming he has not received an offer to stay from United and was now virtually certain to leave when his loan spell expires.

And, after curling home United’s second, he ran straight to the dug-outs and cupped his hands to his ears in what seemed to be a final desperate attempt to persuade the Red Devils hierarchy to let him stay.

Before that, Cristiano Ronaldo had opened the home side’s account with a trademark free-kick, only to then react in a bad-tempered manner when he was replaced by Wayne Rooney on the hour, continuing to shake his head long after he had slunk into the dug-out.

“There is no problem,” said Ferguson of Ronaldo’s reaction.

“It is great that he wanted to play on. But I have to look at the big picture. I have Wednesday and Saturday - against a shellshocked Arsenal - to look after.

“And if Carlos keeps scoring there will be absolutely no problem with him either,” said Ferguson before declaring, “nothing has changed” when asked if there had been any developments on the South American’s contract situation.