United still have the chance to emulate their historic achievements of 12 seasons ago, even though they must overcome Chelsea in the Champions League, Manchester City in the FA Cup and retain their current status at the top of the Premier League.
But it is not Ferguson's opponents that bother him so much as the mounting injuries he is having to contend with.
"It is going to be more difficult than it was in 1999," said the Reds boss.
"We didn't have the injuries we do now.
"There is a great desire to do it but we have so many injuries to defenders at present.
"We will never give in though. No matter what happens, you always feel Manchester United will score in the last minute.
"We must have a chance but it is more difficult than it has ever been."
Ferguson was speaking at a press conference to announce United's clash with the MLS All-Stars team at the Red Bull Arena on July 27, part of a five-match US tour that will conclude in Washington three days later with the Red Devils to face Barcelona.
By that time, the two clubs could have met in the Champions League final at Wembley.
Barca are the undoubted favourites for the competition and will meet Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their quarter-final next week.
However, a meeting with Pep Guardiola's men is something Ferguson would relish, even though old friend Harry Redknapp has labelled them the best club side ever.
"Hopefully they have reached their peak already," said Ferguson.
"They are an example to everyone of how to play football.
"Xavi and Andres Iniesta show so much courage to always want to take the ball and they have the little magician Lionel Messi up front, who is wonderful to watch.
"People say they don't want to play against them. I think it is a privilege.
"It is the kind of challenge you want."
Ferguson confirmed Antonio Valencia will miss the US tour due to his commitments at the Copa America with Ecuador.
Javier Hernandez will also sit out the first part as he is required to play in the Gold Cup for Mexico.
It was on last year's US tour that Hernandez first signalled he was going to be an impressive new recruit for the Old Trafford outfit.
The forward has gone on a recent scoring burst that has taken his tally to 16, putting him in line to match a lofty pre-season target set by Paul Scholes.
"When he scored his first goal on that tour, Paul turned to me and said '25 goals'," revealed Ferguson.
"Paul doesn't say much but he a great professional and a fantastic judge.
"Javier has 16 goals now, so with eight games left and, hopefully, a few European and FA Cup ties, he could get 25 and Paul would have been right."
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The Treble is a very real possibility, it doesnt matter what fans of clubs that cant challenge trophies want to claim, the Treble is on for Manchester United. We all know Scholesy can spot talent and I find it pretty awesme that both myself and Scholes believe that Chicharito can hit 25 goals. Chicharito will be the best in the world, I dont care what anyone thinks everyone can tell he is a special talent, give it 3yrs and Javier Hernandez wll be recognised as the best on the planet. The Treble is on.
Here we go again, old Bacon is making his excuses already for when his ailing, waning aging team flop once again.
the 19th title will do nicely fergie
You never know, I reckon they are in with a chance despite not looking the part on paper.
Excuses at the ready taggart. It will only be harder to win because the 2011 team is'nt fit to lace the boots of the dream team of 1999 FACT !!!!!
Nostradamus Scholes, is t
Nostradamus Scholes, is there anything he can't do!!
wonder what scholsey would post on here regarding what is needed to bolster the midfield for next season.wonder if hes as much insight and is as a good as a judge as some of the self appointed experts on here? fergie nailed it when he says xavi and iniesta have courage to take the ball[as has schola] we will be wellshort in that dept next year. nice to hear respect from fergie and harry for barca,only the very small minded cannot understand what they have brought to the game in the last 5 years. good article,every name mentioned a class act.
We got no chance of the treble. Premiership is probably our best option. We need a win at West Ham, which with this squad is no easy chance. I got a funny feeling City and Chelsea will do us in the other two competions.
SAF setting the squad a challenge. Very little spent in the transfer market despite the wonderful acquisitions of Smalling and Hernandez, and once again plagued by injuries throughout the year.
Any trophies this year would be a fantastic result and a tribute to his management.
Another treble, under the circumstances, would be pure genius!!
Cue Danny.................
Barcelona are a terrific team and I would not doubt their favourite's label. However, I really do have a feeling that Shakhtar could offer a big surprise run for the money even against Barca, Shakhtar are an impressive team. Possible upset?
Clearly much harder as 99 was achieved without the Glazer millstone around the club's neck ....
A wheel might just fall off at West Ham then?
"Will United win the treble?" is the question asked. Against all the odds we have somehow managed to get where we are now. Reality suggests that the treble is beyond our team this year, but I have a damn good feeling that a double is going to be our just reward. Now wouldn't that surprise, or maybe upset, a few of our 'fans'?
United 'til I die!
I watched England-Ghana the other night and man arent England rubbish, Ghana was far better and should of won that game. Milner, Barry, Lescott are just cheats but than look what mickey mouse club they play for. Carroll's goal was nothing but a fluke, he really is a bad footballer and L'pool paid £35m for that rubbish. Nice to see Welbeck play, he was the biggest name in last nights squad list. What an embarrassing squad England now haves, I remember the sides of old and this current one is pathetic.
No, we don't have a team which can win the CL, our CM is too weak and the coach too stubborn
ManU Britains most hated company. http://bit.ly/fwEtOO
Considering the injuries suffered this season, and the poor away form, to even be discussing a shot at the treble, is a measure of United's resolve. My heart say's 'Yes' go for the lot, but my head would settle for number 19.
We didn't have defensive injuries back in 1999 but Scholes and Keane were suspended for the final of the European Cup against Bayern. They were our engine room at the time and the best central midfield pairing in the world back then. But I think the treble is asking a little much this season with our midfield not quite up to par and the injuries.
dear MEN
how about a comprehensive review of united's international players' week? how did they do, did they come through uninjured, etc. ? might take just a bit of legwork to compile but isnt that your job? must i go trawling through the various media to find this out every international break?
Fred C Dobbs - is that City you're talking about - flops who have won nothing for 35 years!!!!!
JS
No.19 is all that required this season.
Would even let City win the FA Cup, ther banner has to come down sometime so why not now and it will keep Mancinni in a job which is good with Mourhino wanting a return to the Prem and fergie still showing no signs of going anywhere, but who knows maybe No.19 will be knock Liverpool off their perch and the great man will call it a day.
Roll on Mourinho.
I said I'd settle for the league due to the poor squad, not the injuries. Fergie covering up here for how poor we are. 99 team had Butt, Scholes, Keane and sometimes Beckham that could play central midfield. We now have an aging Scholes, Useless Gibson and Anderson, and an underperforming Carrick and Fletcher.
Fergie says in this article: "Xavi and Andres Iniesta show so much courage to always want to take the ball.....", which clearly shows what he sees as a necessary & key ingredient in order to be a Top/World Class Central Midfielder! I think most people would agree with his assessment here. Therefore, it is somewhat baffling as to why he has just given Michael Carrick a new contract as he does not possess this quality!!!!! Very Strange!
Especially when you have 4 of our better players on loan!