Scholes to relish final clash

Midfielder ready to savour European showpiece involvement

By James Dall   Last updated: 21st May 2008

Paul Scholes Manchester United Champions League Football Barcelona PA

Scholes: Glad to be involved

Paul Scholes is eagerly anticipating Wednesday's UEFA Champions League final versus Chelsea after admitting he did not 'feel a part' of Manchester United's European success in 1999.

Scholes was forced to sit out of the Red Devils' triumph over Bayern Munich nine years ago after he was ruled out through suspension.

This time round, however, Scholes is poised to start with manager Sir Alex Ferguson set to reward his midfielder after he fired United past Barcelona in the semi-finals.

And Scholes, 33, has voiced his determination to make every second count as United lock horns with Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium in the Champions League showdown, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.

Involved

"It (in 1999) was a good night, really. The lads went out and won the game," he told Sky Sports News.

"I would have liked to have been involved, but it wasn't to be. You don't really feel a part of it when you have not played a part in the biggest game in the run, which is the final.

"It doesn't matter what anyone says, you know yourself that you have not played in the game that has won the trophy and the medals - if I had've played we might not have won, you never know.

"On the night I was really pleased that the lads played as they did and managed to win the game for us. But I wasn't a part of that and you have just got to live with it."