In The Independent on Sunday Sir Alex Ferguson believes the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster can inspire his side to European Cup glory.
Manchester United set off for Portugal this week to meet Sporting Lisbon in Wednesday's opening group match with the manager admitting that the 50th anniversary season of the Munich air disaster would be a perfect time to achieve it.
"I think it would be without question an incentive in a way, but more than that it would be a great tribute from the present-day players to the players of the past," he said. "Because they won the cup in '68 and the Munich thing happened in '58. That was 50 years ago now and that's a long time, and it would be very fitting if we did it. Hopefully it gives an extra incentive and hopefully it will bring us some luck as well."
As to possible winners of the competition, Ferguson suggests: "The usual suspects will all be there: the two Milan teams, Roma, Spanish teams, ourselves, the other English teams, who seem to be getting closer. Because of the improvement of the Premier League and the quality of players we are producing, we have a better chance of consistency in Europe now. That's evidenced by the recent record in finals and semi-finals. The English clubs will get to the later stages and one of us will possibly get to the final and even win it."
United's time again, then? "Of course you want to win it, but I can't demand that of myself and the players. Winning the European Cup is what we all want. But more important at this club, we want to win whatever we can."