Question marks over Berbatov's United future

Soccer:Record signing Dimitar Berbatov was left out of the Manchester United squad for tonight's Champions League final against Barcelona.

The €35 million striker’s omission cast serious doubt over his Old Trafford future despite him having finished joint-top of the Premier League scoring charts.

There were no surprises in the United starting XI, with Javier Hernandez partnering Wayne Rooney in attack and Fabio starting at right-back, with substitute roles only for Darren Fletcher and Nani.

Barca captain Carles Puyol only made the bench for the favourites, who instead took a chance on fellow defender Eric Abidal, with both having missed much of 2011 through injury and illness, respectively.

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol, who has struggled for months with knee and hamstring injuries, was left out of their starting line-up.

Shaggy-haired defender Puyol, who has been nursing injuries since January, will be on the bench. Javier Mascherano starts and is expected to partner Gerard Pique in central defence for the Wembley showpiece.

Barcelona's side includes six starters from the 2009 final when they beat United 2-0. Mascherano, Daniel Alves, Eric Abidal, Pedro and David Villa have replaced Puyol, Yaya Toure, Sylvinho, Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry.

United's team is as expected including eight survivors from the 2009 final with fullback Fabio da Silva, midfielder Antonio Valencia and striker Javier Hernandez having replaced John O'Shea, Anderson and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Teams:

Barcelona:1-Victor Valdes; 2-Daniel Alves, 3-Gerard Pique, 14-Javier Mascherano, 22-Eric Abidal; 16-Sergio Busquets, 6-Xavi, 8-Andres Iniesta; 17-Pedro, 10-Lionel Messi, 7-David Villa.

Manchester United:1-Edwin van der Sar; 20-Fabio, 5-Rio Ferdinand, 15-Nemanja Vidic, 3-Patrice Evra; 25-Antonio Valencia, 16-Michael Carrick, 11-Ryan Giggs, 13-Park Ji-Sung; 10-Wayne Rooney, 14-Javier Hernandez.

Referee:Viktor Kassai (Hungary).