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MANCHESTER, England: Sir Alex Ferguson admits he faces one of the hardest decisions of his career as the Manchester United manager prepares for the Champions League final.
Ferguson expects to have his full 26-man squad fit for selection when United travel to Moscow next week for the showdown against Chelsea.
But the Scot can only name seven substitutes, which will force him to tell eight players they won't be involved in the biggest game of their lives.
"I think picking the team will be easier than picking the substitutes," Ferguson told Sky Sports News.
"I'm going to have to leave some fantastic players out of the squad completely next week, which I won't enjoy doing.
"It's got to be done and I don't know when I'm going to pick that moment.
"I'm going to have to speak to them. It's not something I'm looking forward to. But, on the other hand, it's a fantastic position for us to be in, having 26 fit players."
United's strength in depth played a key role in their title success. While Arsenal struggled when they were hit by injuries, Ferguson's team were able to cope with any absences because another top-quality replacement was ready to step in.
Chelsea are one of the few teams in the world who can match United's quality throughout a big squad, but Ferguson is confident the Premier League champions will still have the edge as the Blues try to recover from their last-day misery.
"You need a really powerful squad to achieve on all fronts," Ferguson said. "I took 26 players to Wigan and every player was fit.
"They all came through the game, which means I'm travelling to Moscow with 26 fit players.
"That's unheard of in my time and that gives us an incredible chance.
"I think Chelsea know they'd rather be in our position than their own position.
"Having won the league, there was a lot of joy about the place, whereas Chelsea have to pick themselves up after drawing against Bolton."
Even if United do return from the Russian capital with their third European Cup, Ferguson knows they still have a long way to go before claiming a place among the continent's most consistent winners of the competition.
Real Madrid have won the Cup nine times and AC Milan have seven victories, while arch rivals Liverpool can look back on five successful campaigns.
But United's young side may not be at their peak yet and Ferguson hopes that emerging talent can bring more European glory to Old Trafford in the future.
"That's the kind of record we should really have," he said. "That's one thing that should drive us all on now," he said. "We have an opportunity next Wednesday to help us along that way.
"There's a freshness about the place with young players coming in. They refresh you and enthuse you," he said. "It's wonderful to have that youth around." - AFP/de
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