Surprise final place for Park ahead of Tevez

Park Ji-sung has been named in Manchester United’s Champions League final starting line-up to face Barcelona in Rome tonight.

The South Korean did not even make the substitutes’ bench in Moscow 12 months ago but Alex Ferguson has decided his energy is required against the Catalans as they attempt to become the first team to successfully defend the European Cup since the Champions League era began in 1992.

It means that Cristiano Ronaldo is handed a main striking role while, as expected, Rio Ferdinand is also in the United side after a three-week absence with a calf strain.

Ferguson has kept his promise to Republic of Ireland international John O'Shea, as he also starts tonight.

Barcelona have some good news on the injury front, with Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta recovering from knee and thigh problems respectively.

However, as full-backs Eric Abidal and Daniel Alves are both suspended and Rafael Marquez is ruled out with a knee injury, former United defender Gerard Pique is left as the only regular member of Pep Guardiola’s back four able to take part.

Barcelona: Valdes, Puyol, Toure Yaya, Pique, Sylvinho, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Eto’o, Henry. Subs: Pinto, Caceres, Muniesa, Keita, Gudjohnsen, Bojan, Pedrito.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Park, Ronaldo, Rooney. Subs: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva, Evans, Nani, Scholes, Berbatov, Tevez.

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).