ShareSir Alex Ferguson, of all people, knows what victory in Saturday's Champions League final at Wembley would mean to Manchester United. It is 43 years since his illustrious predecessor as United manager, the late Sir Matt Busby, celebrated the crowning moment of his career on the turf of the old Wembley Stadium. But much as that glorious night in 1968 - when, 10 years after the Munich air disaster, United became the first English club to be crowned champions of Europe - is etched into Old Trafford history, Sir Alex appreciates that when it comes to taming the Barcelona of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta on Saturday, sentiment and nostalgia can play no part in his preparations. 'It was so long ago,' said Ferguson. 'The great feat of that victory was Sir Matt Busby's rebuilding of the team after Munich. I think everybody wanted them to win it. The whole country was behind United and I'm not so sure the whole country is behind us now! 'So 1968 won't be part of our team talk on Saturday. We have our own history to make.' Legends: Man United's European Cup -winning squad of 1968 Having knocked Liverpool off their perch with a record 19th League title, Ferguson will collect another winner's medal at Old Trafford today after United's last game of the season, against Blackpool. On Saturday he can equal former Liverpool manager Bob Paisley's record of three European Cup successes. But anyone anticipating Sir Alex, 70 on New Year's Eve, to mark a season of triumphs by kicking back and contemplating a less stressful lifestyle should think again. For a fighting fit Ferguson has set his sights on winning every big prize football can offer him for at least the next five years, starting with the satisfaction of grinding Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal into the ground again next term. Having had to backtrack on plans to retire once before, Ferguson refuses to consider such an option now, particularly with City, United's rivals and 'noisy neighbours', snapping at their heels. 'I have always said my health will dictate when I retire and I feel absolutely fine,' said Sir Alex. 'I'm not even thinking of the day when I will stop. I'm enjoying what I do, at a great club, working with terrific players. I enjoy coming into work every day. I'm as enthusiastic as ever about what I do. The class of 2011: Ferguson's side celebrate winning the title 'Beating Liverpool's record of 18 titles was important but so, too, was regaining the title from Chelsea and finishing above Arsenal and Manchester City. It will not be easy to do that again next season. 'Chelsea will be formidable opposition. They have vast financial resources to supplement a squad filled with excellent, world-class players. I expect Arsenal to bounce back from what has been, by their standards, a disappointing season. 'And then there's Manchester City. I've been hearing from anybody who wants to tell me that their owners will move heaven and earth to win the championship next season, so you would have to take the possibility of that happening very seriously. 'But we won't run away from that kind of challenge at United. Indeed, I feel stimulated by the prospect of meeting it head on.' So stimulated, in fact, that Ferguson is relishing the prospect of celebrating not just his 70th but his 75th birthday by still standing firm against those clubs who would usurp United's predominant position. Wembley legacy: United won their first title at the national stadium In nearly 25 years in charge at United, Ferguson has guided the club to 12 League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two European Cups, a European Cupwinners' Cup, a European Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a FIFA World Club title. Ferguson's energy and drive have been important factors in his club's success and, by the way Ryan Giggs is playing in his 38th year and the effectiveness, at 36, of Paul Scholes, it rubs off on the United squad. 'He's there every day at training,' said Giggs of his manager. 'But he comes alive on match days. The preparation is second to none, going through the team we are playing and what he expects from us.' Giggs, himself, insists he wants to stave off retirement for as long as possible. 'You never know when the body is going to pack in or if you stop having an influence on the game or scoring,' he said. Still going strong: Ryan Giggs praised his mentor But he believes Ferguson will outlast him and admitted the manager still provides extra motivation if he or any other player doubts their ability during games. 'The hairdryer is still there,' said Giggs. 'You just keep your head down and hope it's not coming towards you. It's nothing like it used to be, but he's still fiery.' The hairdryer, the hunger, the fight all remain, so it is little wonder that the energised Ferguson wants it all. He has already started looking towards next season - at trying to persuade Scholes not to retire, at bringing in a replacement for retiring goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, at developing what he calls the 'healthy nucleus' of young players in his squad of Javier Hernandez, Nani, Chris Smalling and the Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio, and at enhancing their contributions with new signings. And there is no question that United will be ready for the Champions League final. The next generation: Fabio Da Silva leads a young contingent 'Barcelona are the favourites and you pay attention to the abilities of their players,' said Ferguson, who admitted that drawing level with former Liverpool manager Paisley in guiding his club to three European titles 'would be a fantastic achievement'. The Scot last week took his team through footage of United's 2-0 defeat by Barcelona in the 2009 final in Rome and is wary of their threats - but not obsessed by them. Ferguson said: 'They have that passing routine in the middle of the pitch and keep the ball away from you, that carousel, so you have to press real high. 'We have to deal with that but our training has been terrific. There is a danger of thinking about them too much, that is why I make the point of making an impact ourselves. 'If you see the kind of players we have, you expect us to make an impact; Nani, Antonio Valencia, Hernandez and Wayne Rooney, these are players who can create and score goals.' Saturday's game may revive many fans' memories of 1968, when Bobby Charlton, George Best and Brian Kidd were the scorers in the side that beat the Benfica of Eusebio, Torres and Simoes 4-1 in extra-time. But for Ferguson it is time to create a new legend. Manchester City coach Kidd will return to the Reds for a nightGary Neville: Champions League final is United's biggest match since that glorious Wembley night 43 years agoGerard Pique: 'Manchester United had me in tears, but I thank them for it'All the latest Man United news, features and opinion Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Paul Scholes, Brian Kidd, Ryan Giggs, Xavi, Antonio Valencia, Edwin Van Der Sar, Matt Busby, George Best, Wayne Rooney, Nani Places: Barcelona, Muni
ch, Liverpool, Rome, Europe.
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