Let’s do this.

I don’t know if it’s a verb, but I have been well and truly hyped by the build-up all week.

We’re now less than an hour away from the most-anticipated showdown in a very long time.

Here’s you teams, ladies and gentlemen:

Man U: Van der Sar, Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Hernandez.

Subs: Kuszczak, Owen, Anderson, Smalling, Nani, Scholes, Fletcher.

Barcelona Valdes, Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Abidal, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Villa.

Subs: TBC

So reading between those team lines, Carles Puyol – Barca’s talismanic skipper – is only on the bench.

Premier League top scorer, Dimitar Berbatov, isn’t even on the bench however. That’s rough.

What’s the verdict on the teams?

Sky have been on the year since 6pm, but ITV – with Roy Keane between Harry Redknapp and Gareth Southgate – have just gone live.

********************ROY KEANE IS TIE-LESS*******************************

More to follow – but here’s Keane stamping on Southgate in the good ol days.

We’re in that funny period before the action now, lots of ad breaks for those of us at home and you’d imagine a few toilet breaks for the nervous players at Wembley.

Here’s some light reading to keep you out of the pub then: The final, in numbers; A rough study guide to the decider; looking back on that 2009 Rome showdown.

So who’s having a flutter? One well-known turf accountant is refunding losing bets if Barca win in normal time.

For what it’s worth, you should back Vidic to be sent off within 10 minutes, as a I fancy him to score at some stage. And yesterday was pay-day.

The Berbatov decision is one that will have killed Fergie to make.

He reportedly sent an expensive gift to Ji Sung Park’s parents then they made the trip to London for a cup final some years ago.

It reminds me of the Jim Leighton exclusion from the FA Cup final reply panel 1990. The pair never talked again of course. Or am I being generous to Ferguson?

Here’s what he just said on ITV: “That’s the worst part. There should be 11 subs on the bench for the final. It’s heartache, a terrible decision to have to make. It’s not easy but we have to judge what we need in the game and I decided we needed three midfield players.”

From the excellent DangerHere on Twitter: “Chiles surprised at interest in Big Cup final: ‘I thought it would be all United here. I’m surprised Barcelona have turned out in numbers.’

I flicked over to RTE but they’re running late after the rugger. How’d that one end by the way?*

*I’m back on the bandwagon

Keane on Fergie: “Very driven obviously. He’s always looking at the next one. He likes to win.”

This isn’t the spittle-flecked night at the office for Adrian Chiles I had hoped for. Yet.

Liam Brady’s mono-tone analysis is like a warm cup of cocoa compared to the bombast on the English channels.

Those United fans amongst you may enjoy this, the video that the Wembley big screen will show in the coming minutes.

Check it out here - and then come back to us. It can be lonely out there in internet land.

I’m still trying to get rid of that review copy of Agger’s Ashes from my desk. Let’s play Keane Bingo. The winners gets it.

Will Roy say any of the following?

• Stick your chalkboard up your bollix, Adrian…
• Fail to prepare, prepare to….
• Put your medals on the table, Gareth
• Who’s mobile phone is that? that’s the second time’s it’s rung…
• All of the above

We’ve had an interview on ITV with former Dr Who  Christopher Ecclestone (better actor than Busquets) asking the questions of Wayne Rooney.

On FiveLive, Lawro – our old pal from European nights all season – has the following to say: “Wayne Rooney is a beast of a player on his day. Two years ago in Rome [when Man Utd lost 2-0 to Barcelona] he took one for the team and played on the left, but the position he’ll play in tonight is the best position for him. For me, he could get in the Barcelona team.”

Dunphy is hedging his bets. He’s tipping Barca but like a lot of us has a sneaking suspicion that United could nick it, I reckon. He’s talking up Rooney and Chicarito; ‘Barca are going to face a side that aren’t scored of them’.

Giles: Barca

Brady: Barca:

Dunphy: Barca:

BILLO: UNITED

The teams are emerging on to an immaculate-looking Wembley pitch ahead of four beefeaters (I think) with the cup.

George Hamilton reminds us that there’s no Irish player in the United match-day squad. I think Messi’s cousins are from Moneygall though.

We’re up and running. United with the early pressure. This is gonna be good.

I stuck a fiver on United to win 2-1 by the way. But that won’t affect my impartial reporting of the game, don’t worry.

Barca might have gotten a little warning there. Busquets took the ball from Mascherano on the edge of their box but Hernandez picked his pocket.

That could be indicative of a high-up-the-pitch, pressing gameplan

So we’re almost 10 minutes in and United have already stood up to Barca more than Real over 180.

Rooney and Hernandez looking keyed in and Mascherano vulnerable. As I write Pique almost put the ball past Valdes.

It should be remembered that Fergie’s side started brightly in ’09 too however.

Talk is that Dimitar Berbatov flounced off in a strop. He’s nowhere to be seen at Wembley. Wonder what’s up to.

As I waffle, Barca tikka-takka themselves into the first real chance of the game, down that end. Pedro slaps the ground in frustration when he turns the ball wide.

Messi nutmegged Giggs and then went on a wonderful little slalom towards goal before putting it through for Pedro. Barca are starting to look extremely dangerous.

The BBC’s Phil McNulty writes: “Manchester United’s intentions are plain. High tempo and no time for Barcelona on the ball and Sir Alex Ferguson will be encouraged. The warning signs are already there that concentration is everything though because Pedro should have given Barca the lead with the chance from Xavi’s cross.”

David Villa has unleashed two range-finding efforts in quick succession, testing Van der Sar on his last professional outing.

Boom! Vidic made a sick goal-saving tackle on Messi and hacked the ball away towards a chasing Rooney.

Ferguson has joined Pep on the sidelines.

Like RTE news journalist Brian Farrell on election nights, he’s wearing a carnation in his lapel.

GOAL! Pedro, 26′

Xavi’s throughball picks out Pedro who drills in low shot past flat-footed Van der Sar, who should probably have done better.

I literally don’t know where Evra was though.

Miguel Delaney at Wembley writes: “As @dionobanion pointing out beside me, United look absolutely shattered. Ferguson roaring at players to step up. Allowing Barca onside.”

GOAL! Rooney 33′

What a goal from the United striker.

Rooney picked it up from a throw in, cut inside, played a one-two with Giggs and then wellied it past Valdes from the D.

Game on now.

If United get in level at half-time they’ll be more than happy.

Before the equaliser, Barcelona had completed 265 passes to Man Utd’s 100 so far. They’re settling back into that dominance post-goal and will be interesting to see how they respond.

Giggs and Carrick look unable to control midfield so a change at the break might be expected.

Barca worked a lovely free-kick routine there that almost saw Pedro one-on-one with the keeper. It reminded me of Sweden in ’94 – for some reason. As I type, Messi nutmegs – another United player – Vidic and drive goalward.

He plays Villa through and just misses out on connecting with the return pass across the face of goal. That’s unbelievable stuff.

HALF TIME – Barcelona 1 Manchester United 1

Former England manager makes a point on BBC: “”What has really surprised me is the amount of times Messi has come off the centre-back and into midfield without anyone trying to stop him. It wouldn’t surprise me to see some changes at half-time; you can’t allow that sort of player that kind of space, because sooner or later he will score or create a goal.”

Keano in the ITV studio expects a ‘fantastic’ second-half. He doesn’t look particularly pleased to be there.

The lads in the RTÉ studio are parsing the action – and doing some lip-reading. Footage of Alex Ferguson waving his finger in Rooney’s face is read as Fergie insisting his striker works back.

Dunphy now reckons Barcelona will win comfortably in the end.

All this channel hopping eh? Jim Boardman tweets: “SkySports1 – Jamie Redknapp. ITV1 – Harry Redknapp. BBC1 – Louise Redknapp. Marvellous.”

United are waiting for Barca on the pitch. They’re being made to wait.

So what do we reckon? Get you predictions in.

George Hamilton detects a ‘little frisson’ amongst the United bench and reckons there’s some new tactical innovation in store.

I reckon it could be the Flying V from Mighty Ducks 2.

Mascherano ran about 50 yards with the ball, eventually forcing an early corner. Evra’s not having a good game.

I presume Pique’s bestie Shakira isn’t there if e haven’t had any crowd shots of here yet?

The former United defender looked hurt after a back-post challenge with Vidic.

What a chance for Barca. Van der Sar made a great save from Alves – I think. Messi shot at goal from the rebound but it was put behind for a corner.

Ray Houghton, who has been pretty good all night in the RTE gantry, identified Park as the culprit in not tracking runners.

Messi was given the freedom of London by the United defence. The Argentine shot low and hard from the edge of the box, catching an unsighted VDS cold.

It’s his first goal on English soil. How are United going to react to this?

Danny Alves has been booked for a challenge on Evra. It’s the first of the game by my count despite the likes of Valencia seemingly constantly giving away frees.

For those interested meanwhile,Armagh have beaten Down 1-15 to 1-10 in that Ulster SFC Championship game which provincial chiefs refused to move. Great win for the Orchard though.

It’s like the 46a bus, as Pat Kenny would say. We’ve had our second yellow – Carrick leathered Iniesta who got a crucial little touch on the ball, an instant before the United defender arrived.

United need to change this up a bit; a million viewers have made the ‘Giggs is anonymous’ joke but it’s quite true.

Messi’s playing at his Pro Evo best. He almost back heeled in another one there, Fabio hurt himself in denying him another.

Here’s his goal for those who missed it earlier -

thanks to Action81

He’s alive! Nani comes on for Fabio.

Good night, nurse. There’s still 20 minutes left but this is all over, Eileen.

After another mesmerising run by Messi the ball eventually breaks to Villa. The Spain striker takes the time to roll the ball with his studs and then curl it into the top corner.Absolutely amazing stuff.

Messi et al aren’t the only ones on top form tonight. As Villa wheeled away gurning his joy, Geroge Hamilton explained that George ‘Messi peeled the prawn and Villa served it up – if you like – in spectacular fashion.’

Former assistant to Fergie – and ex-England manager – Steve ‘Shteve’  McClaren is on the BBC. He says: “We know that Barcelona will have possession and create, but the most disappointing thing from Manchester United’s point of view is that they’ve not played attacking, penetrating football. They’ve lost all belief and self-confidence because of the way Barcelona have played.”

Scholes in on for Carrick. Bit late no?

And here’s the crucial third Barcelona goal. It’s so good- thanks again to Action 81:

Valencia’s booked at last but the straw that broke the camel’s back was probably a fair shoulder.

Less than 10 minutes to go now. I’m gone back to ITV; Clive Tyldesley sounds absolutely gutted, poor lad.

If the English side do score a goal in the next few minutes he’ll be dusting off the ‘Remember the Nou Camp, 99′ script for the final moments. That’s a big if though as Lord Sugar would say.

Valdes is booked for time-wasting, before Villa is replaced by Keita.

File under: You’ve got that look again. Mark Ogden tweets – Mick Hucknall has left the building. Nothing like staying til the end….

What a gig. Carles Puyol has been drinking Kia Ora in a tracksuit top all night and with less than three minutes to go, will be introduced. The skipper will then collect Barcelona’s fourth Champions League.

Fergie looks to be physically shaking with.. rage? The cold?

Pedro leaves the stage for Affelay. Job’s a good ‘un.

FULL TIME: Barcelona 3 Manchester United 1

It’s all over in London officially. But in reality this game was over about half an hour ago.

For those United fans amongst us, consolation can be taken in witnessing a truly great side. Pep Guardiola’s side won the title the right way this year – antics at the Bernebeu notwithstanding.

Messi – if there was any doubt – has confirmed he is one of the game’s best ever.

Rio Ferdinand: “You’ve got to give credit to them, we could have played better in parts but they played better than us so you have to give credit.”

Keano says losing to this side will soften the blow ‘a little’ and that they lost to one of the best ever.

Barcelona offer their opponents a guard of honour as they traipse up for their losers’ medals. Fergie looks surprisingly upbeat.

Nick Clegg and Michel Platini dish out the honours.

Van der Sar, in his last act as a footballer, declines to take the medal around his neck.

And here come the champions.

Pep Guardiola leads his incredible side up the steps in Wembley towards that that famous trophy. I wouldn’t be surprised if Puyol and Abidal – who’s made a comeback from liver cancer – lift it together.

News just in from out Stating The Obvious Dept: Messi has been man-of-the-match.

Abidal does indeed lift the cup. Lovely hurling.

Fireworks go off over Wembley’s arch.

That’s your lot Europe. I’m glad I wore a shirt-and-tie for that.

What an occasion it was and though it doesn’t always happen, the best team won. And what a team.

Alex Ferguson will console himself with a 19th league title and the prospect of another crack at Europe next year. For Barcelona, the challenge will be to maintain this level of brilliance.

Football eh? Bloody hell.