'Man U can become first team to retain Champions League'

London, Apr 29 (ANI): Coach Sir Alex Ferguson thinks Manchester United can become the first team to retain the Champions League trophy.

The United manager, whose team face Arsenal in the semi-finals of the competition tonight, says the 'omens' are good for his side to win the title in back to back years.

"You say to yourself it would be great if we could be the first do that [retain the Champions League trophy]. We are good at winning things for the first time and maybe that is a good omen for us," the Daily Express quoted Ferguson, as saying.

No team has managed to retain the trophy since it changed from the European Cup. Milan, Ajax and Juventus were all beaten finalists in the mid 90s a year after becoming European champions, but no side have managed to go one better.

Ferguson admits that he is letting himself dream. "Talk is cheap, but faint heart never won fair lady and it's something I would dearly love to do. Some might say I am tempting fate but at Old Trafford we have always set our sights high.

"No one is saying it will be easy, and we will certainly need to enjoy that little rub of luck and freedom from injury that can make you or break you," he added.

Edwin van der Sar, United's Dutch keeper, is one of the few players to have come close to retaining the trophy.

He won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995 and was also in goal as the Dutch side lost the final to Juventus on penalties 12 months later.

He believes United can go one better and hold onto their European crown. (ANI)