Champions League - Ferguson: United on brink of greatness

Eurosport - Wed, 27 May 19:09:00 2009

Exactly 10 years to the day since Manchester United clinched a famous treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, manager Alex Ferguson said his current team could enjoy even greater success.

FOOTBALL 2008-09 Champions League - Manchester United's coach Alex Ferguson arrives for a news conference for Wednesday's UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium in Rome - 0

United face Barcelona in the Champions League final on Wednesday bidding to claim their fourth trophy of the season after the FIFA Club World Cup, League Cup and Premier League title.

They are also looking to become the first side to retain the European Cup since the Champions League started in 1992-93 and Ferguson said they had the opportunity to be recognised as one of Europe's great teams.

He revealed he came to that conclusion after United were crowned world club champions in Tokyo in December.

"I think the team elevated themselves," he said. "By accepting the challenge of going to Japan - that was a big, big test for us.

"Going there, sleeping-wise, and then coming back and having to play on Boxing Day and winning against Stoke City told you something about the character of the side - it was fantastic.

"When you get a bunch of players who are talented and don't want to lose then you are talking about a special team."

The last side to retain the European Cup were AC Milan in 1990 and with victory on Wednesday United would also top the achievements of the 1999 team which won the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

"It is unusual that no team has defended it again since the Champions League started," Ferguson said.

"In the past there were cycles of great teams like Ajax, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, of course, but we have an opportunity now to retain it and hopefully we can take it.

"In terms of the pantheon of great teams you have to win the European Cup there is no question - that is a pre-requisite."

Ferguson said his players had proved themselves this season, notably when they won in Porto and then demolished Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals.

"When the chips were down in Porto, they rose to that with a fantastic performance," he said.

"What you see over the last year is maturity. We have adapted to the challenge of Europe again, we have won our league, but tomorrow I am expecting the team to play to their capabilities again."

A United victory would make Ferguson only the second manager after Liverpool's Bob Paisley to win the European Cup three times.

"It's a young team with the right blend of experience that could do well in the next few years and hopefully tomorrow we can endorse that," he said.

Follow Barcelona v Manchester United LIVE on Eurosport-Yahoo! with kick-off at 19:45 UK time - and pre-match news and gossip all day on Wednesday!

Reuters

Comment 308 - 327 of 327

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  1. Barca just got lucky when they scored that @#$% fluke­ first goal otherwise it would have been a completely­ different story

    From saeed, on Thu 28 May 4:24PM

  2. how a true great team showed the pretender how to play­ great football!! they should have been thumped by 5­ goals but like always, they always seemed to have some­ luck on them. ManUre, stop this great pretending thingy­ from this moment!! lol

    From malik, on Thu 28 May 2:11AM

  3. Ferguson: United on brink of greatness­­ "
    Headlines like these scattered backpages and­­ websites earlier today: sensational media­­ representations indirectly persuading us to go along­­ with these assertions that Ferguson's Manchester­­ United have become the all-powering,dominant and­­ indisputable force in world football.
    However, tonight­ ­ Man U and the sport writers were finally brought­ down­ to Earth.Fergie's team have never been the­­ invincible force that we are made to believe: yes,they­ ­ won the Premiership again but at closer inspection­­ they did it ultimately with moments of luck not by­­ complete dominance: the subsitute Federico­­ Macheda's two goals in two games that gave them­­ those vital 4 extra points, which made all the­­ difference in the final run-up.
    And tonight ,with­ their­ luck finally running out, they were found­ out:Being­ outclassed,out-passed,and out-played by­ Europe's­ best team.
    Fergie's outfit are not so­ unbeatable­ after all. And this reality-check defeat­ could be a­ turning point and an end to their winning­ cycle abroad­ and at home - especially if Ronald and co­ depart in the­ summer.
    Next season is wide open.

    From marcelluslord, on Thu 28 May 1:40AM

  4. FERGY BOY,YOU ARE TO OLD FOR THIS.TRY BIRD­ WATCHING,MONOPOLY,POCKER,
    MUD WRESTLING,OR IF FEEL OK,I­ RECOMAND BOWLING!!

    From dorin c, on Thu 28 May 1:15AM

  5. Its great to see barca win because they absolutely­ dominated utd tonight. They beat them in every dept.­ Ronaldo was made to look ordinary by messi and he spat­ his dummy out and should have been given the red card­ for two elbows, also scholes should have had a straight­ red. Making history with back to back champions league­ (dont make me laugh!lol) ITS nothing to brag about is­ it? Now winning the old way is harder, now lets see who­ has done that..ow yes forest and some team who are the­ greatest and most successful in the british footballing­ historY. LIVERPOOL! Sweet dreams from merseyside , home­ of the greatest fans ever!!!

    From COLIN F, on Wed 27 May 11:54PM

  6. is that the united team coach just turned up

    From rawest1, on Wed 27 May 8:34PM

  7. manshitster you got till half time if you dont score­ youv had it ha ha ha ..lmao come on barsa.

    From brave heart., on Wed 27 May 7:59PM

  8. eto means again let s see it .more goals from barsa.

    From brave heart., on Wed 27 May 7:58PM

  9. messi next

    From brave heart., on Wed 27 May 7:58PM

  10. barsalona.barsalona come on beatthe grip out of the­ shitsters

    From brave heart., on Wed 27 May 7:58PM

  11. barsalona.barsalona come on beatthe grip out of the­ shitsters

    From brave heart., on Wed 27 May 7:58PM

  12. messi next

    From brave heart., on Wed 27 May 7:56PM

  13. eto means again let s see it .more goals from barsa.

    From brave heart., on Wed 27 May 7:56PM

  14. eto you beauty. ha ha ha

    From brave heart., on Wed 27 May 7:55PM

  15. fergie cunna miss first half hes still in confession

    From rawest1, on Wed 27 May 7:49PM

  16. just had a message from the vatican. the refs been­ bought.. fergie and the pope were in discutions today..­ barsa you got no chance. your playing againt 14 men.

    From brave heart., on Wed 27 May 7:45PM

  17. how can they sing when eating prawn sarnies

    From rawest1, on Wed 27 May 7:43PM

  18. just watching the game on itv. is there any man utd­ fans in the stadium at all?. i carn`t here any fans­ singing. typical utd boring fans.

    From LFC - REAL EUROPEAN LEGENDS., on Wed 27 May 7:37PM

  19. look out rome close your doors and get you heads down­ cos if manshitster lose the fans dont know how to­ behave the animals when left out the zoo go stir­ crazy.back to your cages you asnimals.

    From brave heart., on Wed 27 May 7:22PM

  20. jim white your a bias pillock get lost you sap.

    From brave heart., on Wed 27 May 7:13PM
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