And while he says all of the United players would be worthy of a winners' medal, he singled out old mate Paul Scholes – who shared with Keane the disappointment of being suspended when the Red Devils lifted the trophy in 1999.

It was Scholes who brilliantly fired Sir Alex Ferguson's side to tonight's Moscow showdown at the Luzhniki Stadium with his winner against Barcelona in the semi-final second leg at Old Trafford.

And Keane would love him to come out on the winning side in what has been dubbed the battle of the "Premlin".

Keane said: "People often judge players on how many trophies they have won but, even if Manchester United hadn't got to another European Cup final, it still wouldn't have taken away from what a top, top player he is.

"It would be nice for him to win it, though. It would be the icing on the cake for a brilliant career.

"And who's to say he won't be back there next year? I am sure he is going to play on for a few more years yet.

"It's brilliant for Scholesy because, obviously, he missed out on the final (in 1999) and hopefully he will win it this time."

In his autobiography, Keane described the anguish of missing the '99 final, admitting: "Although I was putting a brave face on it, this was just about the worst experience I'd had in football."

But he's pleased his own predictions have come true for this season's finale as United aim to beat Chelsea to another big honour, having already pipped Avram Grant's side to the Premier League crown.

Former United skipper Keane, the inspiration behind their '99 semi-final win over Juventus, said: "I said a while back that I thought United and Chelsea would reach the final and my prediction has come right.

"I think it will be a close game and hopefully United will win.

"All credit to any team that can get to the European Cup final – but getting to the final is one thing, they need to finish the job off now and hopefully United will do that."

The Premier League provided three of the four teams in this season's Champions League semi-finals and Keane says this illustrates the class of the company Sunderland are competing with.

"It says it all," said Keane. "It shows how tough it's been for everyone in the Premier League this season.

"It gives our lads even more credit for doing as well as they have."