Xavi and Messi suffered injuries in the build-up to the 2006 final and worked hard to be back in time for the clash with Arsene Wenger's side.

Messi was deemed unfit for the match, though, and was excluded from the 18-man squad for the game.

Xavi was named on the bench, but was well short of full fitness and was forced to watch on as coach Frank Rijkaard sent on Andres Iniesta, Henrik Larsson and Juliano Belletti.

Those substitutions proved inspired as Larsson set up goals for Samuel Eto'o and Belletti to seal a 2-1 win for the Catalans.

Messi and Xavi say they both felt part of the club's success, having featured in earlier rounds, but admit they are desperate to assume more central roles this time.

"I am looking forward to it so much," Messi said. "It's the biggest game of my life and I am desperate to play - I didn't have the opportunity in Paris but I have the opportunity now and it means so much to me."

Messi is still only 21 and will have plenty more chances to feature in a Champions League final, but Xavi is almost 30 and admits Wednesday's game may represent his last chance of playing in European club football's showpiece event.

"It's very difficult to get to the final of the Champions League and who knows if we'll be there again while I'm around," he said.

"It was fantastic to win in Paris and I felt a part of it, even though I didn't get on the pitch.

"But as a player you want to feel you are a protagonist, you want to contribute and hopefully I will have the opportunity on Wednesday - we're all looking forward to it."

Xavi and Messi are both injury-free and should start on Wednesday, although coach Pep Guardiola is sweating on the fitness of both Iniesta and Thierry Henry.

Henry has been sidelined with a ligament problem picked up in the 6-2 win at Real Madrid earlier this month, but the France striker underwent light training today and is expected to be fit in time for the date with United.

Iniesta is a doubt following the recurrence of a thigh problem in the recent 3-3 draw with Villarreal.

The in-form midfielder - who sealed Barca's passage to the final with a dramatic late strike at Stamford Bridge in the semi-final second leg against Chelsea - is fighting to be fit for Wednesday's game, but Guardiola revealed he will face a late fitness test early next week.

"Andres wants to be there and he is working hard, but we'll have to see on Monday or Tuesday," he said.

"He and Titi (Henry) have the will to be there, but it depends on their muscles as well."

Iniesta started on the bench against Arsenal as Rijkaard opted for a defensive-minded central midfield pairing of Edmilson and Mark Van Bommel, and the Barca midfielder has admitted he was furious at being left out of the side that day.

"I was furious - my blood was boiling," he said last year.

"I had been playing well and I couldn't understand why I was left out, but I calmed down and it was good to get on at half-time and be a part of our comeback."

Many, including United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, believe Iniesta is Barcelona's most important player and if fit, the Spain midfielder looks certain to start this time around.

Henry, meanwhile, will also hope to feature after ending on the losing side three years ago.

"Xavi, Andres, Titi and me - we're all desperate to take part and win the game on Wednesday," Messi said.