Fergie: Losing two finals doesn’t make a ‘golden era’ for us

ALEX FERGUSON insists Manchester United cannot look back at the last four years as a golden period for the club in the Champions League — because they were beaten by Barcelona in two of the three finals they reached.

The record books may show the current spell to be United’s most successful ever in Europe, but Ferguson insists they need to take that final step and win the Champions League trophy outright again in order to make such a claim.

United will resume their European campaign at home to Basle tonight — when they will be without leading strikers Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez due to injury — with Ferguson insisting his players need to strive for even better.

Ferguson said: “The Champions League is the best competition in the world now, better than the World Cup, better than the European Championships, it’s a fantastic tournament.

“But it’s not a golden period for us because we have lost two finals, so I don’t think it can be called a golden period.

“We have been consistent in the Champions League, our form away from home has been outstanding and we hope we can do better this year and win it, that’s the aim of this club all the time.”

Ferguson confirmed that Rooney would miss tonight’s match with a hamstring injury and said that it was difficult to know when the England striker would be back in action.

“He’s not playing tomorrow. It’s difficult to assess with hamstrings but we hope we have him back quickly. He did a bit of jogging this morning but that’s all,” said the United boss.

Ferguson also said that Hernandez’s dead leg would keep him out against Basle but the Mexican should be back for when Norwich visit on Saturday.

Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov are likely to lead the attack, though the fit-again Danny Welbeck could also feature — with Rio Ferdinand partnering Phil Jones in central defence.

Basle won their opening fixture in Group C — 2-1 against Romanian side Otelul Galati and Ferguson said United will respect their opponents.

He added: “We played Basle a few years ago and they have always been the premier team in Switzerland. Switzerland have started to produce good young players — in fact they got to the final of the European Under-21s this year.’’

Meanwhile former Bayern Munich midfielder Thorsten Fink has revealed he will have no thoughts of revenge when his Basle side visit Old Trafford.

The German came on as an 80th-minute Bayern substitute in the 1999 final with his team winning 1-0, only for United to strike back with two late goals to snatch their second European Cup triumph.

However he has no thoughts of using their visit to Old Trafford to pay back United and boss Alex Ferguson.

“It is not a question of getting equal,” said Fink, who is in his third season as Basle coach.

“I am glad to be here as a coach, it is not an everyday experience.

“Going back (to 1999) it was a great memory, even in defeat. I think you always gain strength from defeat because everything that hurts helps you improve.’’