On the eve of his side's Champions League encounter with Dynamo Kiev, Ferguson refused to rule out extending his stay to an incredible 25 years.
No matter how long the fiercely-competitive Scot remains, he wants his final seasons at United to be winning ones.
And, in accepting the Red Devils' Champions League record should be far better than it is, Ferguson has laid down the gauntlet to his young team to bring a third European Cup back to Old Trafford.
"If you are one of the best you naturally look to spell it out with cups and medals, otherwise you are in danger of ending your career as a nearly man - and I don't think a single Manchester United player wants that," said Ferguson, who won the Champions League in 1999.
"Talk comes cheap but I think we have built a platform that, with just a little bit of luck, will launch us on our way to capture this most elusive of trophies.
"We have had our disappointments on the Champions League trail but, while you can never take anything for granted at this level because the competition is needle sharp, I really believe we are capable of going all the way."
Ferguson is responsible for 50% of United's European triumphs but despite that never-to-be-forgotten night in Barcelona, an unhappy succession of quarter-final and semi-final defeats - culminating in last season's loss to AC Milan in the last four - have undermined his monumental achievements on the domestic front.
Still, with nine Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two League Cups and a Cup-Winners' Cup triumph on his United CV, Ferguson knows he could stand down immediately and still be hailed as one of the finest managers of all time.
Magical
Such a move is not on the 65-year-old's agenda though. And, with bookmakers now offering odds on him reaching a magical 25 years at the helm, the gambler in Ferguson does not dismiss the wisdom of having a punt.
"I am proud to have been at the right club," he said.
"I thought 20 years was the landmark last year and now there is an extra year to add to that. It does mean something to me and now I see that are taking odds on me getting to 25 years. It will be interesting to see if I last that long."
Although he is anxious to stress he is not in competition with illustrious predecessor Sir Matt Busby, whose first stint as manager lasted 24 years, Ferguson does believe his fellow Scot left a European legacy he must live up to.
Not only was Busby responsible for their first European trophy in 1968, he also defied the English football authorities 12 years earlier in entering United into the new competition, a season after Chelsea had declined the opportunity.
"I don't think of Sir Matt in terms of him lasting so long but there was an impact from his reign, which leaves us with a big incentive," said Ferguson.
"I think back to what he started after the war, when he had the vision to take Manchester United into Europe in 1956. That was before his time and beyond everyone's thinking.
"Chelsea won the league the previous year but didn't fancy Europe. The FA didn't fancy it and the Football League didn't fancy it either.
"But Sir Matt Busby did. That is the real link I have got with Sir Matt. The years I have spent here have been about achieving and entertaining and about meeting the demands of the modern game."
Barring a mathematical improbability, victory for United tomorrow would sweep them into the knock-out phase with two matches to spare.
Having dismantled Kiev in the Ukraine a fortnight ago, there is no reason to believe Ferguson's side will struggle at Old Trafford, especially given United now have an almost fully-fit squad available.
"At this moment in time I am very positive about meeting the demands of this competition this season," said Ferguson.
"This team can go far. Certain things have to fall into place, namely to have a good, strong squad by the time you get to March.
"I can't dictate that. It is something you have to accept. You either have injuries and important times or you don't."
What do you think? Have your say.
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Roy (06/11/2007 at 19:03)
I have just finished reading "This is the One: Sir Alex Ferguson" by Daniel Taylor and despite Fergie's repeated savaging of members of Her Majesty's press, as reported in the book, you can't help but love the man. The book also mentions another side of Sir Alex and his little reported, numerous acts of kindness.
I remember buying a copy of the MEN in 1986 to read about the new man at OT that had come from Scotland. How can I quantify the sheer amount of joy he has provided through his teams in the last 21 years?
Jack Thorley, Trafford (06/11/2007 at 19:22)
Real Madrid 8
AC Milan 5
Liverpool 5
Ajax 4
Bayern 4
Benfica 2
Notts Forrest 2
United 2
Aston Villa 1
Twice in 50 years not exactly impressive!
RED AND WHITE, manchester (06/11/2007 at 19:59)
Bradley (06/11/2007 at 21:15)
Kevin, Tralee, Eire (06/11/2007 at 21:55)
Wunderkid (07/11/2007 at 00:01)
It's pretty hard to quantify isn't it? It'll be a sad day when he finally does retire ( although that's probably not going to be for a while apparently, maybe about 3 more seasons), but I think that we will have replacements ready in Keane-o and possibly Cantona, who in a Man. U. magazine interview sounded out his intention to lead us in the future and create "a team that plays like no other before."
I've read the same book and he's been controversial at times but so have most great figures.
As for you Jack Thorley, I knew we'd get some bitter on here deriding him. Well all I want to say to you is that 2 European Cups and many Euro Cup appearances is A LOT MORE IMPRESSIVE THAN ZERO!
Also, you have to take into account that we had three quarters of a team that was regarded as the best in the world at the time perish in the Munich air-crash and that Sir Matt had to re-build the whole side almost from scratch in the 60's.
Sir Alex says that he's not comparable to Sir Matt, but I think that this is just typical Scottish modesty and that he obviously is.
I'm still not sure if we can win the Euro Cup with this team, but time will tell.
Erdinger, Easter Island (07/11/2007 at 09:49)
seeing United move from 7v18 to 16v18 however, with the football United have played.
The sytle, the great teams...
knock Liverpool off their perch? The man has nearly over taken Shankly,Fagan and Paisley in the domestic game.
Jack Thorley, Trafford (07/11/2007 at 10:39)
Your reference to United being the only British club to win the club world championship is correct.But as this as only been in being since the year 2000 its not really a valid point.United are and have been for many years one of the most attractive teams to watch,what I have a problem with is the that you all find it necessary to keep patting yourselves on the back.The Premiership is the most unlevel playing field financially with only 4 teams in with a chance to win it.The Champions league is slightly better with at least 6 teams having a chance this is where the quality of the players and the coach is really tested.Players who are outstanding in the less competative Premiership can look ordinary in the Champions League. Who in the United team played well against Inter Milan last season?
bobbydazzler (07/11/2007 at 10:52)
Ant, Manchester (07/11/2007 at 10:54)
The fact is a truley great European team will win their own domestic championship in the same season as the Euro Champions League.
When United do next win the ECL, I hope it's not at the expense of the EPL, and that they win both in the same season.
RCH, Salford (07/11/2007 at 11:02)
Jack Thorley, Trafford (07/11/2007 at 11:14)
francis lee's bellybutton, manchester (07/11/2007 at 11:56)
bobbydazzler (07/11/2007 at 12:13)
Sin City (07/11/2007 at 12:34)
Ant, Manchester (07/11/2007 at 12:38)
Jack, that's the way it has been for some teams since the late 90's, AC Milan and Liverpool included.
Sin City (07/11/2007 at 12:43)
you do have to ask the question, would Mr Ferguson have been as successful with less finances available? I think undoubtably the answer is no.
Ant, Manchester (07/11/2007 at 12:53)
Pete Brady (07/11/2007 at 13:49)
DC, Amsterdam (07/11/2007 at 14:00)
Hang on a sec... what are citeh fans doing talking about Europe anyway?
Sin City (07/11/2007 at 14:09)
RCH, Salford
at last eight
We have learnt in the last few decades that as predicted, the Premier league setup means most of the time the richest will win. Where this advantage is dissipated, the champions league, Mr Ferguson has failed.
This year he should succeed, because he has added £90 million players to an already expensive squad. But, and this is the real stinger, we have learnt you can never really compare Mr Ferguson's "achievements" to other British football managers, because they made their achievements without the great financial advantages Manchester United exploit. In that light, several other British football managers have shown themselves to be more capable.
You are probably right, Manchester city and many other football clubs will probably NEVER have the wealth Manchester United exploit, and so the same quantity of success. Does this mean 99% of football fans in Britain have no self respect? Or do they have the self-respect of being football fans, rather than fans of success?
Ants of mancs, fans of success are not the same as football fans.
francis lee's bellybutton, manchester (07/11/2007 at 14:12)
Duncan, London (07/11/2007 at 14:38)
Sin City (07/11/2007 at 14:46)
Since the Premier league Manchester United have always been the richest club. You are right that the advantage has become more accentuated over the last decade, but it has always been there. Manchester United did have some success with less advantage and they exploit now, but they still had the advantage, and I don't think you could compare it to what Brian Clough did for example. Be honest now, do you honestly think you could compare Fergusson at United to Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest? There are several other managers in English football who have had more success, including Mat Busby, with fewer advantages to exploit than Ferguson has enjoyed. [ I won't mention certain other managers who always seem to bring out the green eyed monster when you talk about them to the fans of success.]
Duncan, London (07/11/2007 at 14:47)
Why does money dictate the winners of the premiership but not the Champions League? Unless you mean that luck plays a bigger part. The truth is AC's and Liverpool's triumph tells one thing. That is if you concentrate on one trophy you have a better chance of winning it.