Champions League: United have winning spirit says Ferguson
Alex Ferguson claims Manchester United are playing with the same spirit which carried them to the Treble in 1999 as they prepare to face Bayer Leverkusen at Old Trafford tonight.
Ferguson can see the same mood in the dressing room going into the Champions League semi-final first leg as he did three years ago during the climax to that historic season.
The United manager claims this spirit will help them cope without the injured trio of Roy Keane, David Beckham and Ronny Johnsen.
‘‘It was a rollercoaster in 1999,’’ he said. ‘‘It never stopped. We were playing Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday-Wednesday.
‘‘The real likeness is in the spirit. Like then, the spirit now is very good. The players are a great bunch of lads and whatever they achieve they do it together.
‘‘Of course we wish Roy Keane and David Beckham were playing, but there’s something about this team’s spirit.
‘‘And the spirit of this team will make sure that we will be at our very best.
‘‘For David and Roy it’s important that we win for them and I think that gives us a chance.’’
Ferguson, who welcomes back Juan Veron from his latest bout of Achilles trouble, is in confident mood ahead of the clash with the Bundesliga leaders and he knows he is within touching distance of his dream final at Hampden Park.
He is delighted with his side’s form and he feels their win in Spain over Deportivo La Coruna in the quarter-finals was their best-ever European performance during his 16-year reign.
However, he is still wary of Leverkusen, who are aiming for a Treble of European Cup, German Cup and Bundesliga title.
Ferguson is giving them every respect after the way they demolished Liverpool in the quarter-finals.
He claims they are a talented side and hopes they will win the Bundesliga title this season.
‘‘Complacency is a big danger, but I think we have afforded the proper credit to Leverkusen and their coach,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s fantastic what they have achieved. I know they have been second so many times so I hope they win the league because they are the best team in Germany.
‘‘OK they had a bad result on Saturday when they lost to Werder Bremen, but I hope they win the league.’’
The last time United faced German opposition in the Champions League semi-finals they lost to Borussia Dortmund.
Including those home and away defeats, United have won just one the 1999 Final of their last seven matches against Bundesliga sides.
That loss to Dortmund still rankles with Ferguson and he feels United are much better now.
‘‘I can relate to our last disappointment in the semi-finals against Dortmund,’’ he said.
‘‘We had 15 clear-cut chances at home and didn’t score a goal. That was a disappointment, but I think we have improved a lot since then.’’
