Sir Alex Ferguson says he is determined to secure the Champions League after admitting Manchester United's continental record is a "weakness" for a club of their size.

The Red Devils take on Chelsea in Moscow on Wednesday night, looking to add the European Cup to the Premier League title they won earlier this month.

United have won the competition only twice before, a record dwarfed by Real Madrid's nine European Cups and Liverpool's five.

Ferguson said: "There is a weakness in the European trophies we've won and I hope we can go some way to making that better tomorrow night.

"We have had 10 days' good preparation, it has helped staff more than the players, it's a long season and we all feel the strains and stresses of it.

"It's given the players the opportunity to do some serious work on the training field and we're in our best shape for this game against Chelsea."

United defenders Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown insist the domestic meetings between the sides - one home win apiece - will have no bearing on the match on Wednesday.

Ferdinand said: "Form goes out the window, on the day it's who performs.

Brown added: "In the league we both won once, but this is a cup final. We know the players, it's a one-off match and we will definitely be prepared to beat them."

Ferguson, who felt there would be no problems with the relaid pitch, admitted selecting his side - particularly his substitutes - was proving no easy task.

He added: "I will tell the players tomorrow afternoon. It is not easy, but I have got a team in mind. I think it is the right team."

Ferguson believes he will have a stronger bench available than he did for last season's FA Cup final, when his side were beaten by Chelsea at Wembley.

"I think that is the main difference from the FA Cup final last year," he said. "I think with seven substitutes you hope at least three will have an impact.

"With three out of the seven, the ones you make have to have an impact. I have to give a lot of consideration to the players on the bench.

"I wish it was 11 substitutes, it would make my job easier."

Ferguson confirmed defender Nemanja Vidic was fit and would play in the match.

On his own feelings ahead of the match, Ferguson added: "It is not as though it is my first final, it is my fourth European final.

"The one person who should not be nervous is myself. I have got to use my experience and composure to hopefully help everyone else."

Ferguson also said he would place a "big bet" on the Champions League final not being Cristiano Ronaldo's last game for the club.

Ronaldo has been United's star performer this season and there are reports that Real Madrid remain interested in the Portuguese forward.

But Ferguson was adamant the player is going nowhere, and responded to a Spanish journalist's question by saying: "You get some idiots in this place don't you? If you want to have a bet on it, I'll put a big bet on with you."

TEAMtalk / Eurosport