Focus is clear for United ahead of final rematch

United were officially crowned champions for a record 19th time at Old Trafford on Sunday.

It was the fourth time in five full seasons with the Red Devils that Vidic had finished a title-winner, his personal contribution marked before the game when he was named Premier League player of the year.

But before the Serbian considers the accolade, or revels too much in getting to collect his first major trophy as United captain, his focus immediately turned to Saturday’s Champions League final, and a burning desire to atone for a calamitous performance in Rome two years ago.

“We are celebrating but everyone is thinking about the next game,” he said.

“It is the biggest game of the whole year. We have to prepare as best as we can for Barcelona.

“We know what it feels like to go to the final and lose. That match was one of the saddest moments of my career. I am sure all the players will not forget it.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has always claimed to know what went wrong at the Stadio Olimpico when, after a bright start, United slumped after Samuel Eto’o had scored against the run of play.

They were well out of the contest before Lionel Messi nodded a match-clinching second past Edwin van der Sar, who will play the last competitive game of his career on Saturday night.

“We know we are facing a very good team and have to be physically and psychologically ready,” said Vidic. “Against this Barcelona team you have to be intelligent.

“They have qualities but we will try to work on their weaknesses.”

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, last night revealed the Catalan club will wait for today’s forecast from the Grimsvotn volcano before deciding when they travel to London for the final.

Barca were forced to travel by bus to Milan to face Inter in the semi-final of last year’s competition after flights were cancelled due to the ash cloud which covered much of Western Europe.

And Guardiola is hoping for the best this time around as another erupting Icelandic volcano threatens to cause flight disruption over the UK having already caused cancellations to flights over Scottish airspace with the potential to affect the plans of both the team and their fans.

“The important thing is that they tell us – whatever they say we’ll do with the maximum anticipation possible,” said Guardiola.

“If they tell us we can’t risk the trip then we’ll travel tomorrow or the day after – we will not take any risks.”