Macari predicts tough Rome test

Macari scored 97 goals for United

Former Manchester United striker Lou Macari believes this year's Champions League final will be too close to call.

The holders play Spanish champions Barcelona in Rome on 27 May looking to become the first club to successfully defend the Champions League trophy.

Macari told BBC Radio Stoke: "There's more to it than just the great manager and players United have got - luck will play a part.

"It won't be just 11 versus 11. The referee's decisions will come into it."

He added: "I hate to say it but Barcelona are as capable of beating Manchester United as United are of beating them."

Macari played 400 games for the Old Trafford club scoring 97 goals and helping United to the Second Division championship, an FA Cup winner's medal in 1977 and runners-up medals in 1976 and 1979.

He believes manager Sir Alex Ferguson is in a determined mood as he looks to add to his trophy count.

"Since the time he's been there his record has been frightening, but there's still one big game he wants to win and add to that record - Barcelona in Rome," he said.

Macari, a former Stoke City manager, says United's win at the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day was pivotal in United winning the Premier League.

He said: "That day was an important one because they just came back from the World Club Cup and people were tired but they won."

That result was the beginning of 11 straight Premier League wins in a row - their best sequence of league results throughout the season.

Macari also paid tribute to Stoke for their successful debut season in the top flight.

The Scot had two spells managing Stoke, guiding them to a Second Division Championship title, a Wembley final and to the old First Division play-off semi-finals in 1996.

"At the start of the season nearly everyone pencilled Stoke to go down and they've proved them wrong - fantastic," he said.

"Tony Pulis has managed to get a team at the first time of asking to stay in the Premier League and that is a massive achievement."

Stoke chairman Peter Coates, who spent £27m helping the Potters maintain their top-flight status, was also the man who brought Macari to the Potteries in 1991 and again in 1994 after a spell in Scotland with Celtic.

Macari said: "You do need the backing of your chairman, Tony's (Pulis) had that backing. £27m isn't an awful lot of money to spend in the Premier League but it was the amount that was needed to stay in there.

"Tony knows he needs to improve the squad over the summer and I think Stoke have a great chance of staying up next season as well - those coming up from the Championship are the ones that have it all to do."