Manchester United are better-equipped to face Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals than they were at this stage last year against AC Milan, manager Alex Ferguson believes.
United surrendered a 3-2 first leg lead against Milan when they lost 3-0 at the San Siro last year. They have only reached the final in two of their previous nine semi-final appearances in Europe's top club competition.
"Most times we've not been successful in semi-finals but I think we are in a much stronger position this year in terms of the energy of the team," Ferguson told reporters as he prepared for the first leg at the Nou Camp.
"Last year we played the same team all the time and this time we haven't. I hope that makes a difference. But the important thing about any semi-final is to enjoy it."
It will be United's first visit to the Nou Camp since their heart-stopping 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in 1999. But the Barcelona stadium was also the scene of a 4-0 drubbing for Ferguson's side in the group stage of the 1994 competition as well as a pulsating 3-3 draw in 1998-99.
"1994 was a good lesson to us about the importance of ball retention," said Ferguson. "At the time we couldn't play our best team because of the three foreign player rule, but Barcelona's quality and possession was far superior to us and it was a great lesson to us. We realised how important it is in Europe."
Ferguson said the current United side were better equipped to play in Europe than their 1994 predecessors and were capable of emulating the success of the 1999 side.
"It is almost 10 years ago and the team of today don't need any reminding of the past. But hopefully what is more important is what this team can shape in their own history and I think we are good enough to do that," he said.
The United manager said the clash between two of Europe's most attractive sides would have made a worthy final.
"If it had been the final it would have been a fantastic stage for big clubs like us. I think the winners will stand a great chance in the final. With the similar amount of quality players and our similar style I think it will be a balanced game."
Ferguson confirmed that striker Wayne Rooney had recovered from a minor injury niggle and would play against Barca.
"He's fit," he said. "It was a knock on the hip which will not stop him from playing."
Barca are the only non-English side remaining in the competition, with the other semi-final featuring a now familiar Chelsea-Liverpool showdown.
"I think English teams do better now because the quality of the league and the quality of the football has improved and that gives them a much better chance," said Ferguson.
