Think of Russia and the traditional images come to mind: vodka and caviar, samovars and the Bolshoi ballet. Moscow is still the grey and forbidding city it always was but for one night only Manchester United simply took over.

For the third time in this great club's history the European Cup (and its successor Champions League) has been won, and how their fans rejoiced.

We know the historical facts, 40 years ago George Best and company waltzed through the Benfica defence at Wembley and ripped apart Eusebio's fairytale. In 1958 those wholesome Busby Babes were horribly killed on a Munich runway. Half a century on and Moscow crackled with poignant memories of that day. For United boss Sir Alex Ferguson this was the night when his beloved team blossomed.

'Ferguson is the most demanding, self-motivated and passionate of Premier League bosses'


After Manchester United had beaten Chelsea on penalties in an acceptable Champions League final, it was time to take stock. When he's knocked back his brandy and smoked the cigar, Sir Alex will sit back in the most comfortable of armchairs. When a man has achieved all his ambitions it would be easy to just dig out the golf clubs and look after the garden. When Brian Clough and Bob Paisley won their European Cups the temptation must have been to put their feet up.

Retirement for Sir Alex though may be seen as an admission of defeat. Ferguson is the most demanding, self motivated and passionate of Premier League bosses.

Throughout a hugely successful managerial career Fergie has moulded his teams in the way a potter manipulates his clay. Some would call it man management but when Roy Keane matured into the perfect captain, we somehow knew that Ferguson had something to do with it.

On the touchline Sir Alex Ferguson is constantly on his feet, always yelling out instructions and a bundle of nervous energy. A jigsaw puzzle and the Times crossword may never have crossed his now reflective mind

Sir Alex is, and always has been, a busy and businesslike figure of restless animation. Even now he will be plotting another Champions League victory. He may move a few medals around the mantelpiece at home but any thoughts of retirement will be completely banished.

As Ferguson once again lifted the famous cup, the ghosts of the past smiled warmly on him. There were the three Real Madrid musketeers of Alfredo Di Stefano, Francisco Gento and Ferenc Puskas, the towering authority of Terry McDermott, Ray Kennedy and Tommy Smith for five-time champions Liverpool.

And finally there is the Manchester United who claimed their hat-trick of successes. For the likes of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Owen Hargreaves it was a night of fulfilment, flair and fantasy.

Throughout the first half against Chelsea, they almost overpowered the Londoners with the slickness and simple beauty of their football. Christiano Ronaldo, in almost exhibtion mood, planted the neatest header into the Chelsea net.

After Frank Lampard had levelled for Chelsea the game seemed to swing back in their favour. But when Nicolas Anelka missed that heart-breaking penalty, Sir Alex sprinted onto the pitch, danced that joyous dance and then grinned from ear to ear.

Enough said.