Sir Alex Ferguson says English clubs will challenge for the Champions League again, insisting Spain's current domination is only part of a cycle.

He told ESPN FC: "I think success is cyclical. If you think about the 90s, it was AC Milan. In the 70s, Ajax; and Bayern Munich in the 80s; Liverpool, in the 90s; Italy, AC Milan; then England had a great spell with three teams about six years ago all in the semi-final.

"We were in three finals in four years.

"[Now] the domain is in Spain. There's no question about that. The same question could be asked about why are the German teams, why are Bayern Munich not winning the Champions League? Why are the Italians not winning it? Why are the French not winning it? And why are the English not winning it?

"I think the moment, the cycle is with the Spanish teams. They're the best, and that's why they're winning it. But that will change, that can change.

"You know, [Cristiano] Ronaldo will get older, [Lionel] Messi will get older. Can they replace these players?

"I think the cycle will change."