Manchester United's Ryan Giggs thought Champions League final chance had gone

Giggs was part of United's treble-winning side of 1999 and already has a European Cup winner's medal for his part in the 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp.

But the 34-year-old, who will overtake Sir Bobby Charlton's 758 appearances for the Red Devils if he plays in Moscow, is relieved he will get an opportunity to appear in a second final when it looked like his chance had gone.

Giggs said: "I think when you are 26 you think you are going to be involved in finals again but at 34 you maybe think the chance is slipping away so I'm pleased to get that chance again.

"Certainly I think you appreciate it a lot more - you don't play when you're 25 or 26 thinking it will be your last time but at 33 or 34 you know it will be a last chance.

"You always have that belief that we would get there again and show that winning mentality but overall I'm just happy to be playing in the final.

"I think I will be able to enjoy the experience but of course winning is the important thing.

"I will have many years to reflect on my career when I finish but you have certain things you want to achieve and winning the Champions League again is one of them."

Giggs admitted that missing out on the final in previous seasons, and last season's semi-final defeat to AC Milan in particular, had increased the hunger for United to do it this time around.

"We have a good record in the Champions League but sometimes when you miss out it can help you," Giggs added.

"The next season will bring with it an added a pressure to deliver and I remember going away in last summer after losing to AC Milan thinking 'I don't want to feel like this again'.

"There is a determination to succeed and I think we have proved because we have consistently done well in the Champions League.

"Last year we were in the semi-final and if we had maybe had the luck we could have gone all the way to the final.

"This year we had that luck and the pain of missing out last time made us want to get to the final this time.

"I expect the final to be a tight game - because it always is against Chelsea. They get men behind the ball and are good on the counter attack.

"Chelsea are a little bit more Continental in their style of play so maybe if we score first the emphasis might be on them to attack more."

Ryan Giggs will wear the Reebok KFS Sprintfit Pro II at the Champions League final in Moscow.