One of the first tasks on encountering Ferguson at Manchester Airport, at the outset of a European trip, is to establish who, if anyone, is staying behind in Manchester. “Everyone with you Alex?” ran today’s line of questioning, as it always does. “Yes,” he replied. Except that ever since Wayne Rooney limped off at Ewood Park on Satuday after taking a kick to the hip there had been a doubt about his fitness…. but Ferguson, like any other manager, does not telegraph news like that unless persuaded. “And Wayne?” “Yes.” “He’s travelling?” “Yes” “So that’s everyone travelling?” “I said everyone’s fit.” End of conversation. He was settled in his seat on the plane when the press contingent trooped past to take their seat at the back, as they always do. “Everyone fit then?”

A broad grin accompanied the question – and for a moment it looked a bit uncertain how he’d take it. A grin came back. “Everyone.” Ferguson enjoys these continental occasions immensely and as the footballing statesman he now is he can settle back at the Uefa press conferences which follow his arrival, as those not afforded such a chance finally get to quiz him. And it’s surprising how receptive he is. “Would you agree that your unconvincing draw at Middlesbrough gives Roma manager Luciano Spalletti grounds for hope?” he was asked - or words to that effect - before the quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford recently? The Manchester contingent flinched.

Questioning a result in that way can be a risky business for those who sit before him week in, week out. But for the Italian female journalist who put the question, it prompted one of the long, erudite answers which can make Ferguson press conferences such a satisfying business at times. “I’m the same when I see opponents playing,” Ferguson said. “I hope for thunder and lightning across the pitch or they lose 25-0 or something. I’m always looking for disasters to happen to my opponents. Always looking for grains of hope….” Fabulous!

This afternoon’s conference at the United team hotel in Barcelona was not quite such a rich source of material as his talk in Rome’s hilltop Hilton Calvalieri hotel a few weeks ago. (Ferguson has a particular love of Italy.) But there was some memorable talk about how he wants to forget about the 1999 triumph as his team play their first game in Camp Nou since then. "It is almost 10 years since we won the final," he said. "The team of today do not need to worry about the past and be reminded of the past. They have seen the game many times on video and television, so I do not think it is lost on any of them. What is more important is that they can shape their own history. I think they are good enough to do that."

The sharp grin as he deflected a question about Lionel Messi’s threat across to Nemanja Vidic wasn’t bad either. Counter to their usual routine, United do not fly home after the game but will stay in Barcelona until Thursday and fly direct to London for Saturday’s lunchtime Chelsea match. It means that one of Ferguson's occasional grouches on these occasions – having to sit on the runway awaiting the arrival of a press contingent which is permitted an hour of work after each game before the coach leaves for the airport – will be avoided. The events of tomorrow night will tell if his sunny countenance remains intact.

(Picture: Getty Images)