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Wednesday, 9 May 2007, 06:45 GMT 07:45 UK

Ferguson backs Milan to beat Reds

Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Liverpool have no chance of beating AC Milan in the Champions League final on 23 May.

Milan beat United in the semi-finals to set up a repeat of the 2005 final, which Liverpool won on penalties.

Ferguson told the Sun: "I'd bet for sure that Milan will win the Champions League. I'm absolutely certain of it.

"I told their manager Carlo Ancelotti at the end of our semi-final that there is no way he cannot win it now."

Ferguson plans to toast Milan's victory with a bottle of wine given to him by Ancelotti after his side had lost in Italy.

"I'm still trying to analyse the factors involved but the truth remains we faced one of the best performances in the history of AC Milan"
Sir Alex Ferguson

"Carlo gave me a magnificent bottle of wine," Ferguson added. "But I immediately told him I would only drink his wine once I see him lifting the Champions Cup."

The United boss admits his team were outclassed in the second leg of their semi-final, which Milan won 3-0.

But Ferguson believes his side were tired from their efforts in the Premiership the previous weekend, which helped United regain the title for the first time since 2003.

"Milan's second-leg victory over us was stupendous, fantastic and extraordinary," Ferguson said.

"But I know we paid a high price for the Premiership fightback which we needed at Everton to turn a 2-0 scoreline into a 4-2 victory.

606: DEBATE

"Last week, Milan were fresher and better prepared tactically and physically.

"I'm still trying to analyse the factors involved. But the truth remains we faced one of the best performances in the history of AC Milan."



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Related to this story:

Maldini to put operation on hold (03 May 07 |  Europe )
Euro rivals fear Reds - Gerrard (03 May 07 |  Europe )
AC Milan 3-0 Man Utd (Agg: 5-3) (02 May 07 |  Europe )
Man Utd 3-2 AC Milan (24 Apr 07 |  Europe )
Ferguson accepts Man Utd failings (02 May 07 |  Europe )
Ferguson feels final is beckoning (25 Apr 07 |  Man Utd )

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