The final was one of Ferguson’s greatest nights in his 27-year-long reign at Old Trafford, with his third great United side beating Avram Grant’s Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after 1-1 draw.

Ferguson won his second European Cup that night, but as he prepares to manage his 2008 team once again for Michael Carrick’s testimonial later this year, he claims he regrets his team selection.

Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Victor Valdes – 5 out of 10 His double save was a moment of excellence, but he was beaten twice by Fellaini and Lingard and conceded a calamitous third. AFP/Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Antonio Barragan – 5 out of 10 Held his shape well at the back, but was beaten by the occasional over the top ball. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Bernardo Espinosa – 3 out of 10 Really struggled against the pace of Rashford and the other United forwards. An afternoon to forget. AFP/Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Ben Gibson – 5 out of 10 Tried in vain to start attacks by hitting long-passes forward but had a difficult afternoon. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Fabio – 6 out of 10 Looked assured in possession and did well going forwards; one of Middlesbrough's better players. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Marten De Roon – 5 out of 10 He worked relentlessly, but ultimately failed to make an impact on the game. He was outplayed in the midfield. AFP/Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Adam Clayton – 4 out of 10 He looked lost at times – drifting in and out the game. Lost possession quickly and failed to read the game. Man Utd via Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Grant Leadbitter – 6 out of 10 Was a key element to almost every Boro move – making clever and quick decisions in possession. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Stewart Downing – 5 out of 10 Wasteful in possession and failed to make an impact going forward. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Alvaro Negredo – 5 out of 10 Was Middlesbrough's principal target man but he was always surrounded by a sea of United shirts. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Gaston Ramirez – 6 out of 10 Caused a nuisance of himself, but was guilty of dropping too deep at times. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings David De Gea – 5 out of 10 Had very little to do. Unfortunate with Middlesbrough's goal. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Eric Bailly – 5 out of 10 Ramirez was getting the better of him at times due to his slack man-marking. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Chris Smalling – 6 out of 10 Intercepted a handful of important crosses and led the United defence well. Could have done better to clear the ball for Gestede’s goal. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Phil Jones – 5 out of 10 Held his own at the back, but made a number of unnecessary fouls. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Ashley Young – 6 out of 10 His assist for the opening goal was an example of his ability, although he drifted out of the game late on. Man Utd via Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Michael Carrick – 6 out of 10 A textbook Carrick display. He created chances, defended well and his work rate was relentless. AFP/Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Marouane Fellaini – 7 out of 10 Opened the scoring for United with a header. Tough tackling and used possession well throughout. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Antonio Valencia - 5 out of 10 Defended well, but looked even better going forward to support the strikers. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Juan Mata – 7 out of 10 Looked dangerous going forward and classy on the ball. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Jesse Lingard – 7 out of 10 His goal was an example of his individual ability – fully deserved. He linked well with Rashford throughout. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Marcus Rashford – 6 out of 10 Should have scored, especially in the first half. Worked well, but needs to be more clinical. AFP/Getty Images

“It was a really great bunch of players with a great attitude about them and a good, strong squad,” he said. “My problem in the 2008 final, maybe I even regret it to this day, was I left Ji-sung Park out completely in the final.

“He’d played such a great role and that’s the problem when you get to these finals. At Wembley [against Barcelona two years later], I did it to Dimitar Berbatov and he took it badly. He didn’t deserve it.



“No player deserves to be left out of the final. That’s why we try hard at these European seminars with the coaches to try to get 11 subs in the final.”

Park was rarely considered more than a fringe player during his seven-year stay at Old Trafford, but Ferguson regularly called upon him in important, season-defining matches.