Champions League no match for Lynch as Wembley looms

It is seven years since Lynch's one and only appearance for the Red Devils – when he lined-up with players including Ryan Giggs, Laurent Blanc and Diego Forlan in a final group game against Spanish side Deportiva.

The Manchester-born defender also grabbed the headlines that night after heading the ball past his own goalkeeper to seal a 2-0 defeat for Alex Ferguson's side.

At 28, Lynch is back on the big stage albeit for a League Two play-off final against Dagenham and Redbridge.

He never played for United again after his brief taste of stardom and, after unspectacular spells with both Sunderland and Hull City, has spent the last four years in the lower leagues.

But this is not a story of wasted talent. Far from it. Lynch has worked harder than most players to maintain a career in professional football, fighting a constant battle against knee trouble.

Without the various setbacks, who knows where Lynch might have been now?

"To make your debut for your hometown club in Europe was something special that you will remember for the rest of your life," he said. "Even the own goal didn't really spoil it.

"The gaffer made a few changes because the club had already qualified for the next phase. I was doing well in the reserves and training with the first team.

"I actually think I had a good game and the goal was one of those unfortunate situations. It was a cross that just bounced up, hit me in the face, and then rolled over the line."

Not long after that game in northern Spain, Lynch ruptured knee ligaments in a training session. With his first-team opportunities limited at Old Trafford, he moved on in search of a regular football.

"Looking back, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with United but I got injured at just the wrong time," he said. "The knee has dogged me throughout my career and kept on rearing its ugly head."

After joining Hull, Lynch dislocated a kneecap just two minutes into his home debut and received a red card on his comeback appearance six weeks later.

Surgeons have now looked into the knee four times but Lynch is adamant that things improved dramatically after his last operation three years ago.

Although sidelined for a lengthy period last season, he has been a regular for the Millers over the last six months, playing a major role in getting the club to Wembley.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow''s game, Lynch admitted that he remains in the dark about his future. His contract with the Millers expires this summer and there has been no sign of a new deal.

"I would love to stay and, fingers crossed, they will put something on the table," he added

"You just never know what's around the corner in football.

"When you look at what's at stake this weekend, there is no question that this game is bigger for me than my one appearance in the Champions League."