Filed under: Manchester United, Champions League, Premier League, Football
They may have won a record 19th league title but, still bristling at suggestions that the current Manchester United side pales in comparison to previous vintages, Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged his players to prove their worth in the Champions League final against Barcelona.The lack of a couple, or even one, outstanding performer and an absence of truly memorable displays underpins the luke-warm plaudits offered to Ferguson's latest championship-winning group.
But however those judgements are made about successive United teams, the fact is, they have proved themselves to be better that the rest of their domestic rivals this year.
In 10 years time, will anyone remember that people didn't really rate the champions? Or will this latest achievement merely be seen as another staging post in a lengthy trail of success?
Of course, only the truly deluded would suggest that United's squad is not in need of surgery but, after defending his players all season, Ferguson's true opinions will be illustrated by his actions this summer.
And he has already stated there could be as many as three major signings arriving at Old Trafford.
Throughout the season, Ferguson has put negative assessments of his team down to their poor away record.
But he claims that will all be changed if United can overcome Barcelona at Wembley.
"Beating Barcelona would end all arguments about this team, exactly," Ferguson told The Daily Mirror. "That's their challenge at Wembley.
"I know we're playing a terrific team, but would you back against us in a big way? I don't think you would. We're capable of doing very well in the final.
"There's nothing wrong with accepting challenges, we're very good at that. It doesn't matter where the challenges come from, you have to stand up to the mark.
"And this side doesn't give in, that's their great quality."
Two years ago, United did not get anywhere near Barcelona in their Champions League final meeting in Rome.
Even Ferguson would acknowledge that man for man, his United team are weaker than they were then, while Barcelona are now widely-recognised as one of the best teams in history.
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