Ambitious Alex desperate to put the record straight

SIR Alex Ferguson is relishing the opportunity to carve another niche in Manchester United's European history in Rome tomorrow night.

Although the Red Devils won their third European Cup when they overcame Chelsea in a penalty shoot–out 12 months ago, United boss Ferguson remains convinced the tally should be far more.

Knowing Bayern Munich and Ajax have four victories to their name, with Liverpool in third place behind Real Madrid and AC Milan thanks to their five successes, Ferguson feels there is plenty of ground to make up.

And, as he looks ahead to an eagerly–awaited showdown with Barcelona, who like Juventus, Inter Milan and Nottingham Forest are among a group of clubs to have won it twice, Ferguson is demanding the retention of club-football's biggest prize.

"I have said this so many times and I continue to repeat it. We should have won more trophies in Europe," said Ferguson.

"It is a genuine criticism as far as I am concerned. There have been opportunities to do better. Sometimes we have been unlucky and sometimes we have been disappointing."

Semi–final defeats to Borussia Dortmund and, even more painfully, against Bayer Leverkusen, stick in Ferguson's throat, less so the 2007 pummelling at the hands of AC Milan who strolled to victory at the San Siro against an injury–hit United side left weary by their Premier League exploits.

"It is an opportunity to get to four," said Ferguson. "Hopefully we will take it. In terms of our history and placing ourselves in the pantheon of teams who have won it four or more times, it would be fantastic for us."

While a first all–English final was special in its own way, Barcelona bring with them a magical element, their recent history woven into United folklore from the very first meeting of the two clubs in 1984.

On that occasion, Bryan Robson thrilled a capacity crowd with two goals to overturn a first–leg deficit and clinch victory against a side that included the legendary Maradona.

There were two 3–3 draws during the epic 1998–99 campaign and a nervous semi–final settled by a single Paul Scholes thunderbolt last term.

And, of course, Barcelona was the venue for one of the most outrageous comebacks of all–time when Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struck in stoppage time to snatch the trophy away from Bayern Munich a decade ago.