Ferguson has made it plain that, even though he turns 70 on the last day of the year, he has no intention of retiring from the United job he has held since 1986.
He remains driven not only by the task of improving their record haul of 19 English titles and 11 FA Cups but by the desire to catch up with the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan, Ajax Amsterdam, Bayern Munich and his old nemesis Liverpool, who have all been European champions more times than United.
Although even he would have to admit that equalling or bettering Real Madrid's record of nine European Cups is beyond him, Ferguson is still hugely ambitious heading into the May 28 Champions League final against Barcelona.
"I think it is an area we want to do better, we should have won more I think, we're in another final so we've got a chance," he said.
"The expectation from my point of view has always been very high in Europe because you do get envious of the other great teams - Real Madrid, Milan, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Ajax," he added.
"We are looking to get parity with those clubs. It is where we should be."
A 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday secured United's 19th league title, taking them out on their own ahead of Liverpool.
The reasons for United's relatively poor record in Europe are unclear.
He would also emulate United's other great Scottish manager Matt Busby, who won their first European Cup at Wembley in 1968.
