Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits his claims that the current squad is his very best were "premature".

Ferguson said: "We are a long way short of winning the number of trophies enjoyed by the team of 1992-93 and 1993-94 that ended the league title famine and then scooped the Double. There are also the superstars of 1999 who won the Treble.

"To claim our present side is better than those two teams is a little premature.

"Potentially, they have the ability, determination and ambition to go on and match the daring deeds of those previous teams.

"The fact is our boys of today still have to deliver.

"If you are a great player then you need the cups and medals to prove it or you risk being tagged 'a nearly man'. I am sure that won't be the scenario."