
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits that last year's
Champions League defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich still haunts
him.
Ferguson has guided the Red Devils to two Champions League
successes in his 24 years at the club, but reckons they should have
won at least twice that.
The United boss says some exits were unavoidable, but there were
also some they "ballsed up" - and last season's exit is very much
classed as that.
United were knocked out by Bayern as Arjen Robben's late volley
at Old Trafford sent the German giants through on away goals.
"We've only won it three times, which is not enough for this
club, and we've been unlucky a lot of times. Other times we've just
ballsed it up," Ferguson told The People.
"The reality is we could have won it another two or three
years.
Last year still plays on my mind, that Bayern Munich game.
Christ, I'm still not sleeping after that! I keep thinking about
that game and keep getting angry about the way we lost it.
"We were in complete control until Rafael was sent off and then
they came back into it. That result hurt and still does, but
against Borussia Dortmund at Old Trafford in 1997 we had about 15
chances and about eight one-on-ones with their keeper.
"If we'd got past Bayern Munich I think we would have reached
the final last year and I'd have fancied us against Inter
Milan."
United begin their assault on this season's Champions League
against Rangers on Tuesday and Ferguson is refusing to take the
Scottish champions lightly.
"You've got to respect Rangers and with their history you can't
take them for granted," he said.
"I know Walter Smith well and just how organised and difficult
to beat his side will be.
"Walter will get a good glass of wine after the match but,
hopefully, that's all he'll get."
Ferguson does expect one of his old foes, Jose Mourinho to make
Real Madrid a much more potent prospect.
"Signing Mourinho has upped the ante for Real. They'll have a
better chance now - he's got a better squad. He's the first Real
coach that's bought players with a plan.''
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