Ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes his former side can beat Barcelona

Gary Neville, Manchester United(Getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes his old side are capable of defeating Barcelona in the Champions League final

However, he believes his old team-mates will have to keep their concentration like they did when they defeated Barcelona in the semi-finals in 2008 if they are to win at Wembley.

“It is the same Barcelona team from 2008 and what I saw for 180 minutes then was the highest level of concentration I have ever witnessed from a Manchester United team in 15 years of being here,” he said.

“It was unbelievable. The concentration they applied to get that result by keeping two clean sheets over the two legs was phenomenal.

“If any of them want to understand how to beat Barcelona, they only need to watch those two matches again.

The former England international believes history lies in wait for the Red Devils if they can beat the Catalan giants.

He added : “This time it is easier. They only have to do it for 90 minutes.

“If they repeat that same level of intensity, concentration and discipline to stick to the task, as they did on those two nights, the challenge is there for them to go and make history and win the European Cup.”

Neville, 36, believes the players should be excited at the prospect of facing Barcelona on Saturday.

“If you are playing at your absolute best, Barcelona would be a great challenge,” he said,” he said.

“You are playing one of the best teams in Europe on one of the biggest occasions in a great stadium, in your own country.

“That is an incredible test for everyone at Manchester United but it is a test that has been overcome in the past.”

Neville’s set to run out at Old Trafford one last time tonight when he faces Juventus in his testimonial and he concedes that dip in form mixed with the emergence of Fabio and Rafael meant it was the right time to call it a day.

He added: “As a player, I had no choice. My level of performance wasn’t to the standard that the other lads have achieved.”

“That has been proven by their performances in these last four to five months.

“When you see the way lads like Rafael and Fabio have developed, I was clogging things up.

“They are good enough to go and play at a fantastic level and get great experience.

“And they are going to be involved in a European Cup final. That serves the club for the next 10 years.

“If I had been at that level I would have carried on. I wouldn’t have given it in for the world.”