´No favourites´ in final, says Mascherano

Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has denied Manchester United hold the upper hand ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final.

Barca will travel to Wembley to face the English Premier League champions in the finale of Europe’s most prestigious club tournament, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side holding something akin to home advantage.

The location of the final has prompted some – including Barca boss Pep Guardiola – to conclude that United will start as favourites, but Mascherano believes it will make little difference come kickoff.

“In a final, there are no favourites,” Mascherano told Football Focus. “It is one game so it depends how the teams are on the day.”

“We will try to do everything we can to win, in the 90 minutes, or 120 minutes. We don’t know how long it will take but we have confidence in ourselves.”

Mascherano is familiar with United’s talented squad, having witnessed them in action during his three seasons at Liverpool.

He has cautioned his team-mates to be wary of the Premier League champions, who will be eager to pay back their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Barca in the 2009 final.

“They are a very good team, very strong,” the 26-year-old said.

“They have a fantastic manager. He has a lot of experience in Europe and in the Premier League.”

“They are one of the biggest teams in the world. We have to be careful because they know how to play finals. It will be really, really difficult.”

“(Wayne) Rooney is one of the best strikers in the world. He is a key player for them.”

“(Javier) Hernandez is a very, very good player. I knew him when he was in Mexico but it was a big surprise when he came to England.”

“He is having a fantastic season. We have to be careful with both of them because they are really good players and really dangerous.”

Mascherano started as a makeshift centre-back in both legs of Barca’s semi-final tie with Real Madrid, but is expected to return the bench for the final given Eric Abidal’s remarkable comeback from surgery to remove a tumour on his liver.

“I don’t know if I will play but it doesn’t matter,” Mascherano said. “The main thing is the team will be in the final and will do everything to try to win.”