London - Of all the statistics that surround this year's Champions League final, there is one that stands out above all others - United can make history by becoming the first side to successfully defend the title.

While Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Ajax, Benfica and Inter Milan all won the old European Cup two years in a row, no side has done it since the competition was expanded in 1992.

Repeating their triumph of 12 months ago by beating Barcelona in the final on Wednesday would make United the first to do so under the new format.

Michael Carrick, one of the English club's most consistent players this season, said the whole United side knows what that would mean.

"It's a strange one really because you try not to think about things too much, but at the back of your mind you know how special it could be if we could do it," he said.

"We're determined to repeat the feeling we had last season, it was something I'd never experienced before in my life and it really was an unbelievable feeling. To do that again would be incredible."

Carrick said United and Barcelona deserved to be called the two best sides in Europe right now and said everyone was aware just how dangerous the Spanish champions can be.

Lionel Messi, their Argentina forward, is arguably the best player in the world, but Carrick said Andres Iniesta, who scored the goal against Chelsea that took Barcelona through to the final, was equally important to the Spanish side.

"He's definitely a big player for them," Carrick said. "He's had a great season and scored a few goals, none more important than the one against Chelsea in the semi-final which put them through to the final.

"I know he's had a bit of an injury recently, but I'm sure he'll be fit for Rome and it'll be a big test to play against him because he's a really top player."

Barcelona are renowned for playing an expansive brand of football, as are United, but Carrick said the final could be a cagey affair.

"We thought it would be very open and attacking when we played them last season and in the end there was only one goal over two legs," he said.

"They can score and create chances at any time, but we believe we can defend well and attack them. There could be a bagful of goals or just one could be the difference - anything could happen, but that's what makes it such an interesting game."

Carrick has been an unsung hero for United at the heart of their midfield this season but the England player said he was disappointed his midfield partner Darren Fletcher would not be in Rome because of suspension.

"We'd love to (win it for him)," Carrick said. "We're all still devastated for Fletch, but hopefully we can win it and go some way to making him a bit happier about the situation."(dpa)