The Scot, who will celebrate 20 years in charge at Old Trafford next week, has made no secret of his frustration that he has only once, on a memorable night in Barcelona seven years ago, managed to get his hands on European football's biggest prize.But the vitality displayed by his reshaped squad so far this season has convinced him that this could be their season.

"I do feel we should have done it at least twice before," Ferguson admitted as he prepared for Wednesday night's group F meeting with FC Copenhagen.

"We have an opportunity with a new team that is full of promise and I think we could do it.

"It is open, there are maybe half a dozen teams that could win it. Bayern Munich have started very well, the form of Lyon has been fantastic and of course you can't dismiss Barcelona. And I think the four English teams have a chance.

"We have made a good start. What we need to do that is maintain that and show consistency. That's what good teams do and we will know more about that as the season progresses, but the encouraging thing for me is that the squad as a whole has done well."

Recent seasons have seen United's depth of squad tested by injuries and key players losing form at crucial times.