"The potential of this team is good but what we have to do is win," said Ferguson. "You've got to win things to be judged in the best way. I feel there is a great potential there, a good desire in them and they work hard. They are tough, emotionally as well as mentally.

"You see that with Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez - they are tough, strong up there," he says tapping his head.

"Anderson surprises us all the time and if you are going into games with that kind of mettle it does give you confidence that you are going down the right path. I'm enjoying working with these players.

"My hunger has never changed even though I'm older now. In fact, it probably becomes more acute in the sense that you know who you are working for at this club. It is about results here and the way you get results - and the big, big expectation here.

"Also the history here is fantastic. Sometimes we show the new young players film clips of people like Duncan Edwards and they say 'Look at he size of him!'

"Before they come here some of the younger players have never heard of Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton or Denis Law. But once they get into the history of the club it helps them.

"But still the most important feeling for me is winning it is your drug.

"That last minute, you can see the referee, whistle in his hand, putting it up to his mouth. That's the key moment for me the great excitement."