As Juventus and Barcelona prepare to face off on June 6th, the anticipation to European club football's biggest event has been growing each and every single day. The Italian and the Spanish champions will be not just seeking the title of the continent's best team, but to also achieve what would be a season-defining treble (and the first for the Bianconeri).
Earlier, the connection between Juventus, Barcelona, and the Spanish and Italian national teams was discussed as both teams have fielded quite their share of players for the Azzurri and la Furia Roja. Indeed, quite a few - a dozen to be exact - could be on the field for the big event in Germany's capital next month. Given the influence both clubs enjoy in their respective nations, it is no surprise that they would have within their ranks players who have featured with some of the continent's most prominent clubs.
And, Manchester United, with its status as arguably one of the biggest in the world will have quite a few ex-Red Devils participating in this season's Champions League final in less than two weeks. Three of them now play for la Vecchia Signora. We take a look at this trio, what they achieved whilst at Old Trafford and what they have achieved since their respective moves to Serie A and La Liga.
The first player, Patrice Evra might be the "newest" of the three Red Devils who now play for Juventus but the French defender, widely regarded as among the best left-backs in Europe enjoyed a highly successful spell with the Premier League giants prior to arriving in Italy last summer.
Evra spent nearly nine seasons in England with Manchester United before making a switch to Turin last summer
After establishing himself at Monaco, Evra, who was born in Senegal but chose to represent France at international level, earned himself a move to Manchester United during the 2005/2006 winter transfer window. And it was there, under the tutelage of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, that he enjoyed his most successful club spell to date, winning five Premier League titles and more significant, a Champions League title in the 2007/2008 season alongside two teammates who are now playing for opposing sides.
Evra, shown here celebrating Manchester United's 2008 UCL win will be hoping to lift the trophy again with Juventus this June
So, not surprisingly, after eight and a half highly fruitful seasons in England, Evra, who did sign a one-year contract extension with Manchester United, was nonetheless coveted by other top sides in Europe. At 34 years of age, he certainly has a few more years left in him at the top level and he has settled in nicely in Turin, with Juventus benefiting immensely from his experience in particular in Europe.
Since transferring to Serie A, Evra has made 30 appearances in all competitions for the Bianconeri, winning his first Scudetto and a Coppa Italia
Then and now: A summary of Patrice Evra's achievements in England and Italy
With Manchester United: 5 EPL titles, including three consecutive (2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2012/2013);1 UEFA Champions League (2007/2008); 3 Capital One Cups, 5 FA Community Shields, 1 FIFA Club World Cup
With Juventus: 1 Serie A title (2014/2015); 1 Coppa Italia title (2014/2015); UEFA Champions League finalist (2014/2015)
(Manchester United) Blood is really thicker than water
Following Juve's win over Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-finals first leg thanks to Carlos Tevez's second half penalty, Evra made reference to his Manchester United background when asked his thoughts on his team's success against the reigning European champions.
"Carlos Tevez is like myself: United blood. He's a champion and he's working hard, he's a very good professional," he was quoted as saying in his post-match press conference.
Like Evra, Argentinian striker Tevez spent some time at Old Trafford prior to his move to Italy and was part of the team that won the Champions League in 2008 as well as lifted the Premier League title on two occasions. But unlike his teammate, who is still warmly remembered by Red Devils supporters, the same cannot be said for Tevez, who controversially made a move to the blue side of Manchester in the summer of 2009.
It's all in the DNA: Evra and Tevez both have enjoyed Champions League success before with Manchester United and now have a chance to do it yet again with Juventus
However, since settling in Turin, he has quickly grown into a fan favourite at Juventus Stadium, netting 50 times so far in all competitions in two seasons and finally finding his footing in the Champions League with seven strikes so far in this competition.
Tevez and Evra reunited after five seasons apart and have both played big roles in Massimiliano Allegri's title winning squad
From Old Trafford to Juventus Stadium: A summary of Tevez's trophy wins in England and Italy
With Manchester United: 2 EPL titles (2007/2008, 2008/2009); 1 UEFA Champions League (2007/2008); 1 Capital One Cup; 1 FA Community Shield; 1 FIFA Club World Cup
With Juventus: 2 Serie A titles (2013/2014, 2014/2015); 1 Coppa Italia title (2014/2015); 1 Supercoppa Italiana title (2013); UEFA Champions League finalist (2014/2015)
From frustrated youth prospect to rising star
The third member of this Manchester United-to-Juventus trio has enjoyed the most success with the Bianconeri, despite being just 22 years of age. Since bursting onto the scene in 2012, Paul Pogba has quickly grown into one of the continent's most elite young midfielders and continues to be linked with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid due to his glittering displays in the middle of the park for the Serie A champions.
His move to Turin though, was not without some controversy, as former manager Sir Alex Ferguson hit out at the then 19-year-old for "disrespecting" Manchester United. Pogba, who won the 2013 U-20 World Cup with France, has never been shy about discussing his frustrations whilst with the Red Devils and his lack of playing time during his solitary season with the senior squad in the 2011/2012 term.
Under Antonio Conte, the midfielder, compared to former French international Patrick Vieria (who spent one season with Juve) rapidly found his footing in Serie A and has played a vital role in not just their league resurgence but improved form in Europe. Indeed, three years after departing Old Trafford, surely, no one - not even the player himself perhaps - could have imagined the success he has enjoyed since transferring to Italy.
His all-action displays have firmly established him in a midfield made up of the more experienced Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, and Claudio Marchisio and with 24 goals in 127 total appearances, fans will be counting on him to put on another great performance in what will arguably be the biggest game to date of his young career.
Pogba has won three league titles in three seasons at Juventus and now has been joined by former Manchester United players Tevez (in 2013) and Evra (in 2014)
One man's rubbish is another's treasure: Feeling unwanted by Manchester United, Pogba made a move to Juventus in 2012 and has not looked back since
With Manchester United: just 3 appearances (7 in all comps) for the Red Devils' senior squad
With Juventus: 3 Serie A titles (2012/2013, 2013/2014, 2014/2015); 1 Coppa Italia (2014/2015); 2 Supercoppa Italiana titles (2012 and 2013); UEFA Champions League finalist (2014/2015)
But it's not all love among the former Red Devils...one hopes to spoil the party for his colleagues
When now Juve teammates Evra and Tevez celebrated Manchester United's Champions League title in 2008, they were not not alone. In fact, they will not be the only ex-Red Devils from that European conquering squad who will be featuring in this final as they come up against a former colleague seeking his second Treble with Barcelona.
Before he became an integral part of the Blaugrana's famous sextuple-winning side, Gerard Pique was a young rising defender trying to find his way in the Premier League. Yes, despite only making a handful of appearances for the club - 23 in total over four seasons - Pique's time at Old Trafford saw him taste success both in England and in Europe, including a Champions League medal in 2008.
However, it's been with Barca that the Spanish star has enjoyed the most success. A season later, he would win the Champions League yet again with the Catalan powerhouse and make history as part of the first Spanish side to win a Treble.
Two seasons after would pit Pique against several of his former colleagues. Ex-teammate Evra will not remember the 2011 Champions League final too fondly and despite it being four years ago, will still have that 3-1 loss to Barcelona fresh in his mind. On the other hand, the final at Wembley was a day to remember for Pique, who will be hoping to win an impressive third - and fourth overall - trophy on June 6th.
A glittering career: Pique has won three UCL titles so far with Manchester United and Barcelona
With Manchester United: 1 EPL title (2007/2008); 1 UEFA Champions League (2007/2008); 1 FA Community Shield
With Barcelona: 5 La Liga titles (2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2010/2011, 2012/2013, 2014/2015); 2 UEFA Champions Leagues (2008/2009, 2010-2011); 4 Spanish Super Cups (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013); 2 FIFA Club World Cups (2009, 2011); 2 UEFA Super Cups (2009, 2011); 2 Copa del Rey Cups* (2008/2009, 2011/2012)
*At the time of this writing, Barcelona are in the finals of this season's Copa del Rey and Pique can make it three should they beat Athletic Bilbao
Which of these ex-Manchester United quartet members will be on the winning side next month in Berlin?
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