Mascherano's Mersey beat not an issue

Barcelona's former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano insists meeting old foes Manchester United will not make tomorrow's Champions League final more special, but concedes Sir Alex Ferguson's side are one of the world's best teams.

Mascherano is relishing just being involved in this weekend's showpiece event at Wembley and believes the encounter will be one to remember.

"It's a Champions League final - it's special anyway," he said. "Playing against United doesn't make it more special for me, but I played against them lots of times and in general terms they are a very strong team.

"Their defence has two centre-backs, (Nemanja] Vidic and (Rio] Ferdinand, that offer many guarantees and have huge quality.

"In the last four years they have got to three Champions League finals and won three leagues. They are one of the best teams in the world today."

Mascherano also hailed United's strikeforce.

"Rooney and Chicharito have enormous quality."