Sir Alex Ferguson: We can win it

Sir Alex Ferguson feels his United players have the necessary talent and tenacity to win the club's fourth European Cup at Wembley on 28 May.

After his side demolished Schalke 6-1 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-final, the jubilant boss said: "It's fantastic for the club [to be in a third final in four years]. I've said it many times, we should have done better in Europe over the years.

"I think we're getting closer to that. I think this team can win the cup. I think it's a team full of great desire and determination. These qualities, allied to their ability, will help them at Wembley."

Sir Alex acknowledges that Barcelona - conquerors of United in the respective clubs' last final, in 2009 - are a different prospect to Schalke, indeed to any other team in the world currently.

"I think they [Barcelona] are definitely, without doubt, the team of the moment. There's no question about that. They play fantastic football. It's a pleasure to watch them play. Their semi-final [against Real Madrid] was unfortunate in that we expected a lot better from both sides."

Turning back to his own team, the manager admitted he'd lost some sleep on the eve of Wednesday's win over Schalke, as he pondered his line-up. He made eight changes from the side that started at Arsenal and given the stage of the competition, this was seen in some quarters as a gamble.

"I woke up about four times last night and picked different teams. But they did me proud. When I analysed each individual who was playing, I said to myself, 'This is a Manchester United player. Why can't I play him?' The fact it's a semi-final and such an important game does create a certain bit of doubt in your mind as to whether you're doing the right thing but I'm glad we were vindicated.

"We're in the final now and we'll prepare properly. We've got a big game on Sunday, so let's look forward to that."

Sir Alex recognises, of course, that a European Cup final at Wembley has special meaning for United, given that the Reds first won the biggest prize in club football there back in 1968. Could that be an omen?

"Let's hope so. This club has created destiny many times and its fate follows things like that."