Since the Busby Babes first went into continental combat over five decades ago, United have won only two European Cups - in 1968 and 1999.

But Fergie knows he has the players to land another Champions League crown against Chelsea when the English giants collide at the Luzhniki Stadium this evening.

"I've said many times that our history is an illustrious history but there is a weakness in terms of the European trophies we've won," he said in Russia.

"I hope we can go some way towards making that better tonight.

"We've had 10 days' good preparation. We're in our best shape and it should give us a good opportunity to win.

"You're judged by what you win as a team. This team has an opportunity tonight to answer comparisons with 1999.

"If we win and achieve what they did, we'll be very proud of them and we will have justified our opinion of them. It's a very good Manchester United team emerging, and we've got a very high opinion of them.

"It's important I trust my players. We may not have the overall experience of Chelsea given the players we have, but we have the nerve and the courage."

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney are the elite names of the Reds' blossoming group of young talent.

But the United boss doesn't want the Reds to solely rely on their star duo in the Moscow cauldron.

"Many of my players are young. The likes of Ronaldo and Rooney have big futures ahead of them," Fergie added.

"In terms of their ability, temperament and courage to play, this is a big stage of course. But it's the same for all of our players.

"We can't rest on two young lads as our overall saviours tonight. I'll be depending on all eleven players. It's a massive challenge but we can do it."

Return to lep.co.uk after the game for a full match report and reaction.