The last time Manchester United lifted a European trophy...

Manchester United were crowned champions of the 2008 UEFA Champions League after a nail-biting contest with Chelsea, which ended in an exciting penalty shootout with Nicolas Anelka missing the crucial final kick.

Nine years later, the Red Devils are back with the chance to lift another European trophy, and one they have never lifted before. Since the final in Moscow, there have been many changes to the Old Trafford side, which now presents a completely differentn demeanor almost a decade later.

Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge back then, with stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney or Tevez lifting the club to the top.

Since then, two Champions League final defeats to Barcelona as well as a Russian roulette in the United dugout have seen the club fail to qualify for the Champions League. Failures from David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal made the fans forget the long years of success they had enjoyed, with its pinnacle in the 2008 final.

The team managed by Sir Alex not only had the spark in attack, but were solid defensively thanks to the work of Ferdinand, Vidic or Evra, as well as the experience in midfield from Giggs and Scholes.

Ahead of the final against a youthful Ajax side, who have also overcome a lasting absence in European football, the team now managed by Jose Mourinho will also rest on their young players, with the likes of Rashford, Pogba or Lingard set to give them the edge of the Dutch side. Of course, the defensive capabilities of Chris Smalling or Phil Jones are not quite at the same level as those displayed by the defensive pair back in 2008.

Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick are the two remaining players from the 2008 final, though they no longer enjoy a leading role in Mourinho's current team, and they could both start the fixture on the bench. Edwin Van der Sar, who emerged as a United hero in the win in Moscow, has backed Ajax over United to take the Europa League trophy.

We will have to wait and see if Manchester United can take a huge step in returning to the continent's elite, by securing Champions League qualification, and once again lifting a European trophy...