Taken on its own, losing to Barcelona in last year's Champions League final in Rome is not a cause for major recrimination, especially considering it was Manchester United's second consecutive appearance in the competition's showpiece. Yet the comprehensive manner of defeat did cause manager Sir Alex Ferguson to stop and think. "That night was disappointing," he said. "You can look at reasons and excuses and it's always better to look at the reasons.
"If they are good reasons you can put that to the back of your mind and go away and live your life. If there were no reasons at all then we would be worried but I think there were valid reasons so we will move on. "I took the DVD on holiday and went through everything. It made me feel more honest about the whole build-up and everything. "Did we have the right hotel? Things like this. The training, everything. We looked at all of it so I am quite clear about where we are and where we go. The problems can be put right and they certainly will be put right."
Rio Ferdinand has travelled to Istanbul as United begin their quest to reach a third successive final against Besiktas tonight after his sooner than expected return from a calf injury. Meanwhile, Chelsea will start this season's campaign at home to Porto without striker Didier Drogba, who is suspended for three European games for a verbal attack on a referee in last season's semi-final loss to Barcelona.
"We have to accept the situation because it's impossible to use Didier in the Champions League," coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "Didier is disappointed not to play but he can still help the team in the Premier League." * With agencies Besiktas v Man Utd, Aljazeera Sport + 3, Chelsea v Porto, Aljazeera Sport + 7, KO 10.45pm
