Fergie relishing Milan tie

United hopes past experience will count against Italian giants

Last updated: 19th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fergie relishing Milan tie

Ferguson: Looking forward to tie

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Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping Manchester United's experience of playing in the last two UEFA Champions League finals will help to end their AC Milan hoodoo.

United have been drawn to face Milan, and former Red Devils star David Beckham, in the last 16 of this season's competition.

The Premier League champions have never overcome Milan over two legs in the competition and were crushed 3-0 in the second leg of the semi-final in 2007.

But, having won the 2008 tournament and lost to Barcelona in last season's final, Ferguson believes United are now in a position to knock out the Italian giants.

Fantastic setting

"We've come up against AC Milan many times in the quarter and semi-finals, so it will be a fantastic setting for two great clubs and we're very much looking forward to it," said Ferguson.

"I think our experience of being in the last two finals counts. Also, what's important is that we lost the last final.

"It was the first time I'd ever lost a European final.

"We know where we went wrong in that, it's quite simple, and I think they'll all want to get back to the final.

"Winning was great in Moscow, but in some ways losing in the final was even better for us in terms of realising what a big occasion it is because suddenly you're not part of the celebrations.

"When you're in the celebrations, it sometimes goes over your head and everything happens so quickly because everyone is in such a joyous mood.

"The celebrations when you win a European trophy are beyond everything else.

"But when you lose the impact is far greater. It was a letdown for everyone."