Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Fergie hails European heroes

22 May 2008 - 08:53:31

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Sir Alex Ferguson believes his Champions League winning team has the makings of his best ever Manchester United side following their victory over Chelsea in Moscow.

The Red Devils held their nerve to win a sudden death penalty shoot-out after a tight 120 minutes of final action had ended 1-1 at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Chelsea had led in the shoot-out after Cristiano Ronaldo missed his spot-kick, but John Terry fired wide before Edwin van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka's effort.

Afterwards Ferguson hailed his current crop of players after they emulated the class of 1999 in winning the Champions League and secured a third European crown for the Old Trafford club.

"I think this has got the makings of our best ever team," claimed Ferguson.

"I think we deserved to win the game. In the first half we were fantastic and we should have been 3-0 up, but they scored right on half time, they got a lucky break there, and I thought Chelsea were the better side in the second half.

"But in extra time we got better and I'm just delighted for all the people here and my players. I'm very proud of my team."

Meanwhile, Ferguson felt the final success was written in the stars as it came 50 years after the Munich air disaster and 40 years after the club's first European Cup win at Wembley in 1968.

"We started the British sojourn into Europe in 1955 and we deserved to get the trophy tonight. I am delighted for the fans and the players," he continued.

"It was also my first penalty shoot-out win in a big game. I've won Charity Shields, European Cups, Scottish Cups, but this is the first one in a big game."