Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted some envy of bitter rivals Real Madrid and Liverpool over their European record.

Ferguson said: "When I first came into management, it was a dream to get into the European Cup at some time as a manager.

"You think of clubs like Barcelona and Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus and we have played them all. I've always said over the years that Manchester United have not won the European Cup enough.

"My biggest regret is not winning it more than we have. We have a terrific history but it is not the same as AC Milan, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Ajax, who have all won it four times or more.

"We have regrets about that. We have been unlucky from time to time and, on other occasions, we have disappointed.

"But I tell myself it is a challenge because we should have done better.

"This year we have the opportunity to get four. Hopefully, we won't miss out on that.

"At times we have thrown semi-finals away. The Dortmund tie was one. We had so many chances it was amazing we didn't do it.

"On other occasions, like the first game in the semi against Bayer Leverkusen, we were a bit nervous and very unlucky in the second leg. We had three shots cleared off the line and hit the bar.

"We were unlucky not to win it. The semi against Milan we were just not in it and were very disappointing."