Ferguson wants new batch of history boys.

Provided by 7DAYS.ae

SIR ALEX FERGUSON returns to the scene of his greatest Manchester United triumph tonight, but has urged his current side to forget the past and focus on creating their own history. Fergie will lead his United side out at the Nou Camp tonight for the Champions League semi-final first-leg clash against Barcelona, nine years after United's stunning, last-gasp final victory over Germans Bayern Munich.

But with his side looking to emulate the team of 1999 and lift European club football's premier trophy once again, Fergie insists they need to look at their own game, not what has gone before. The United boss, desperate for a second Champions League triumph, says his side do not need a history lesson.

"It is almost ten years since we won the final," said Ferguson. "The team of today do not need to worry about the past and be reminded of the past. They have seen the game many times on video and television, so I do not think it is lost on any of them. What is more important is that they can shape their own history. I think they are good enough to do that."

Fergie's United side were dumped out at the semi-final stage last season by a Kaka-inspired AC Milan, who then went on to beat Liverpool in the final in the Greek capital Athens. But Ferguson believes this year's team is better than his last lot.

Last season's beaten squad has been boosted by summer arrivals Owen Hargreaves, Carlos Tevez, Nani and Anderson. And with 38-goal Cristiano Ronaldo arguably the best player on the planet right now, United have every reason to be confident. They start tonight's clash as favourites against Champions League 2006 winners Barca.

And Fergie added: "We are in a much stronger position this year in terms of the energy of the team, not to mention the ability in it. Last season we played much the same team every week because of injuries. Now we have bigger squad, you can see the difference and how it has helped us." United played Barca in two thrilling group games en-route to their '99 triumph.

Both games ended in 3-3 draws and Ferguson is expecting a similar goal-fest between two teams who play some of the best football in Europe. He said: "Looking back it could have been more than 3-3, especially the match at the Nou Camp. There were periods where I thought we could lose by ten, then other periods I thought we could win by ten. It was a marvellous open game and a demonstration of how both clubs believe the game should be played.

"United and Barcelona remain well balanced teams in terms of history and the way they play."

Wayne Rooney has recovered from a knock to the hip, suffered at Blackburn on Saturday and will play. While goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is also in line to return between the posts.A He missed the clash at Ewood Park because of a groin strain. Hargreaves and Nani were also absent from that match but are in the squad for tonight's tie.

[c] 2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company