Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic believes the team's knack of scoring important goals at critical times gives them an edge heading into Wednesday's Champions League final against Barcelona.
United have a reputation for scoring late - most notably in the 1999 final when they turned things around against Bayern Munich with two goals in injury time - but recently it is when the goals have gone in which have been significant.
A month ago their successful defence of the Barclays Premier League title hung in the balance when they trailed Tottenham 2-0 with almost an hour gone before a fortuitous penalty got them going and they won 5-2.
A fortnight later Carlos Tevez came off the bench to deflect in Michael Carrick's shot to equalise at Wigan, a match they went on to win 2-1 with just four minutes to go.
"When we need the goals we score the goals," said Vidic ahead of the clash in Rome's Stadio Olimpico.
"A few games we were one or two goals down and won the games. We have shown when we need to score the goals our attackers can.
"We are not a team that is just going to go there and defend. We want to attack."
Many believe a match between the English and Spanish champions is the perfect climax to UEFA's showpiece event but Vidic said that was not a concern for the players.
They were thinking more about their own performances than those of the opposition or what a spectacle it would be.
"It is the big game but we are thinking about the trophy," he added.
"Barcelona are a good team but I don't think in ways of it being the 'best final'.
"Any team that gets to the final is a good team and it will be a good final.
"It is not going to be easy because they have good players, especially up front.
"In the Spanish league they have shown some good football and scored many goals.
"We respect them but we think more about us, how are we going to do and what we are going to do."
Vidic could well line-up alongside youngster Jonny Evans, whom he partnered for the final three league matches they played in, as Rio Ferdinand remains a fitness doubt.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson last week said he wanted the England defender to play at Hull yesterday to give him a game before the final but Ferdinand did not make the squad after three weeks out with a calf injury.
Vidic, however, is hopeful his team-mate will make it somehow.
"I don't want to think that he will not play," he said.
"He is an important player for us and I think he will make it."
Ironically, in Barcelona's Gerard Pique United will come up against a centre-back they sold last year because he wanted more first-team football and could not break the Vidic-Ferdinand partnership.
It has proved a good move for the 22-year-old, who has been one of the Catalans' best players despite his efforts being overshadowed by the exploits of more attacking players.
Pique's performances have not gone unnoticed at Old Trafford though.
"He as done well there. I'm not surprised because he is a good player," said Vidic.
source : football365.com
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