Sir Alex: Euro pain still haunts me

May 18 2008

SIR Alex Ferguson has revealed his side's failures at Champions League level in 1997 and 2002 still haunt him today.

And he is determined to use that hurt to spur his side on to glory against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

Ferguson lost to Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen in semi-finals and felt United could have won the competition both times.

He said: "We had a good team in 1997 and should have beaten Dortmund. It was the same against Leverkusen in 2002.

"It sinks deep, you don't forget them.

"We've won it twice and I feel it should be more. Real Madrid have won it nine times and that is amazing. We won't catch that in my lifetime.

"But Liverpool have won it five times. Bayern Munich and Ajax have won it four times and they are sides we could catch.

"The Champions League Final is the biggest game of the lot. It elevates your status as footballers and as a team."

Ferguson knows Chelsea have quality and in Didier Drogba possess a striker who will need close attention.

Ferguson said: "Drogba is a strong lad but we have shackled him on several occasions and can do it again."