Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand recalled this week Sir Alex Ferguson's pre-match talk for the 2008 Champions League triumph over Chelsea.

Speaking at a fundraising event at Old Trafford, the United skipper recalled Ferguson's inspirational speech that helped them beat Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League final in Moscow.

"I'll never forget it," said Ferdinand. "Before the game he just plonked his chair in the middle of the room and started a random conversation totally unrelated to football.

"But it just settled everybody's nerves and before we knew it his talk switched to words of pure inspiration, reminding all the players, whatever you do in life, to achieve your goals. And, of course, it worked. We won the game.

"I was in awe the first time I met Sir Alex and whenever you get new players at the club it's the same. When Michael Owen signed, he told me how he just sat there listening to the gaffer in amazement. That's why he's so successful."