Sir Alex: We're Much Better Now
The Red Devils’ comeback win against Bayern Munich nine years ago capped a landmark season for Ferguson’s men, as they clinched a historic Treble comprising the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League titles – a feat that had never been done before and has never since been matched.
The scene of their European triumph – the second in their illustrious history – was Camp Nou, where they head tomorrow to face Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final clash.
But Ferguson insists his team does not need reminding of their past glory, insisting that they have seen it all before and that it is more important they focus on creating history rather dwelling in it.
"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."
Memories
United have not visited Camp Nou since ‘99, but Ferguson vividly recalls the 4-0 thrashing they received from Barca in 1994, claiming it was an eye-opening experience.
"1994 was a good lesson to us about the importance of ball retention," said Ferguson. "At the time we couldn't play our best team because of the three foreign player rule, but Barcelona's quality and possession was far superior to us and it was a great lesson to us.
"We realised how important it is in Europe."
The Red Devils also visited Barcelona during their successful 1998-99 campaign, playing out a remarkable 3-3 draw – which Sir Alex admits could have been much more either way.
"Looking back it could have been more than 3-3, especially at the Nou Camp," he said. "There were periods where I thought we could lose by ten, then other periods I thought we could win by ten.
"It was a marvellous open game and demonstration of how both clubs believe the game should be played. United and Barcelona remain well balanced teams in terms of history and the way they play."
Stronger
Despite their triumph in ’99, Manchester United’s record in the latter stages of Europe is decidedly underwhelming for a club that has dominated its domestic league so thoroughly over the last 15 years.
United have reached the semi-finals of Europe’s premier club competition three times since their last triumph, but have not progressed to the final once in that period. In fact, they have only reached two finals in their history, resulting in both their European Cup victories.
Last year they were downed by eventual champions AC Milan, losing 3-0 at San Siro after securing a 3-2 win in their home leg.
But Ferguson believes his side is stronger this time around, insisting he has not only more numbers and better fitness levels, but also more quality.
"We are in a much stronger position this year in terms of the energy of the team, not to mention the ability in it," he said. "Last season we played much the same team every week because of injuries.
"Now we have bigger squad, you can see the difference and how it has helped us."
Balanced
United have been heavily backed as the favourites to proceed to a final clash with either Chelsea or Liverpool in Moscow, due to the vast difference between their league form and Barca’s.
While the Red Devils lead the Premier League race, the Blaugrana sit third in La Liga, some 11 points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.
But Ferguson does not believe his side should have any advantage heading into tomorrow’s clash, insisting both teams possess immense quality and would be worthy champions.
"I do not see that we should be favourites," he said. "It is a very balanced game if you look at the number of quality players on both sides.
"Manchester United and Barcelona must be among the strongest sides in Europe as they have come to this stage of the competition. Both clubs deserve to be there and this match would be an attractive final, a fantastic occasion.
"I believe the winners of this game have a great chance in the final."
Not Just Messi
One of the most tantalising aspects of this match-up is the prospect of seeing United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barca’s Lionel Messi turn it on at opposite ends of the pitch.
Both were runners-up to AC Milan star Kaka in last year’s FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards, and while Messi has been plagued by injury this term, Ronaldo is the red-hot favourite to take out both titles this time around.
And while Ferguson admits that stopping Messi is a priority, he is wary of the overall creative quality that the opposition possess.
"He is one of the best players in the world, everyone knows that," he said. "But the game is not all about Messi.
"Like many good teams, Barcelona have many good players. We have a tough job tomorrow but we will do our best to try and contain them and get a good result."
Mike Maguire
The scene of their European triumph – the second in their illustrious history – was Camp Nou, where they head tomorrow to face Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final clash.
But Ferguson insists his team does not need reminding of their past glory, insisting that they have seen it all before and that it is more important they focus on creating history rather dwelling in it.
"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."
Memories
United have not visited Camp Nou since ‘99, but Ferguson vividly recalls the 4-0 thrashing they received from Barca in 1994, claiming it was an eye-opening experience.
"1994 was a good lesson to us about the importance of ball retention," said Ferguson. "At the time we couldn't play our best team because of the three foreign player rule, but Barcelona's quality and possession was far superior to us and it was a great lesson to us.
"We realised how important it is in Europe."
The Red Devils also visited Barcelona during their successful 1998-99 campaign, playing out a remarkable 3-3 draw – which Sir Alex admits could have been much more either way.
"Looking back it could have been more than 3-3, especially at the Nou Camp," he said. "There were periods where I thought we could lose by ten, then other periods I thought we could win by ten.
"It was a marvellous open game and demonstration of how both clubs believe the game should be played. United and Barcelona remain well balanced teams in terms of history and the way they play."
Stronger
Despite their triumph in ’99, Manchester United’s record in the latter stages of Europe is decidedly underwhelming for a club that has dominated its domestic league so thoroughly over the last 15 years.
United have reached the semi-finals of Europe’s premier club competition three times since their last triumph, but have not progressed to the final once in that period. In fact, they have only reached two finals in their history, resulting in both their European Cup victories.
Last year they were downed by eventual champions AC Milan, losing 3-0 at San Siro after securing a 3-2 win in their home leg.
But Ferguson believes his side is stronger this time around, insisting he has not only more numbers and better fitness levels, but also more quality.
"We are in a much stronger position this year in terms of the energy of the team, not to mention the ability in it," he said. "Last season we played much the same team every week because of injuries.
"Now we have bigger squad, you can see the difference and how it has helped us."
Balanced
United have been heavily backed as the favourites to proceed to a final clash with either Chelsea or Liverpool in Moscow, due to the vast difference between their league form and Barca’s.
While the Red Devils lead the Premier League race, the Blaugrana sit third in La Liga, some 11 points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.
But Ferguson does not believe his side should have any advantage heading into tomorrow’s clash, insisting both teams possess immense quality and would be worthy champions.
"I do not see that we should be favourites," he said. "It is a very balanced game if you look at the number of quality players on both sides.
"Manchester United and Barcelona must be among the strongest sides in Europe as they have come to this stage of the competition. Both clubs deserve to be there and this match would be an attractive final, a fantastic occasion.
"I believe the winners of this game have a great chance in the final."
Not Just Messi
One of the most tantalising aspects of this match-up is the prospect of seeing United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barca’s Lionel Messi turn it on at opposite ends of the pitch.
Both were runners-up to AC Milan star Kaka in last year’s FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards, and while Messi has been plagued by injury this term, Ronaldo is the red-hot favourite to take out both titles this time around.
And while Ferguson admits that stopping Messi is a priority, he is wary of the overall creative quality that the opposition possess.
"He is one of the best players in the world, everyone knows that," he said. "But the game is not all about Messi.
"Like many good teams, Barcelona have many good players. We have a tough job tomorrow but we will do our best to try and contain them and get a good result."
Mike Maguire
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