Didier Drogba demands to partner Nicolas Anelka in Moscow

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The Blues boss favours the 4-3-3 formation used by Jose Mourinho with Drogba playing up front on his own.

But Drogba believes he should be paired with Anelka in Wednesday's Champions League Final.

He said: "I have a lot of admiration and respect for Nicolas. He came to England very young and had to prove himself in a very demanding League.

"I'm a bit disappointed we've not been able to play together all that often since he arrived from Bolton in January.

"But given the chance we can do a lot of damage. Hopefully that will be the case against United."

The striker also admitted he cannot bear the thought of ending the season without a trophy for the first time since he moved to Stamford Bridge.

He added: "The game, as ever against United, will be tough. But if we do not win, this season will be a huge black mark on my career. It will be the first time I've not won a single trophy with Chelsea."

The 30-year-old, who is expected to quit the club this summer, has also revealed how he came close to walking out on Chelsea at Christmas.

He has admitted in a new book that he confronted Chelsea chief Peter Kenyon to confirm that he wanted out following the sacking of Jose Mourinho and would not play in the Blues' crunch Champions League group game in Valencia.

He said: "It was a terrible dilemma. But I was ready not to play - I was feeling stubborn."

Drogba sought advice from both his agent and from his former Marseille club president Pape Diouf - and went on to hit the winner in Valencia.

Now he hopes to shrug off the knee injury sustained in the final league clash against Bolton to lead the attack against United in Russia.