Fergie: 'We will be stronger next season"

Sir Alex Ferguson believes his Champions League winning side will be even stronger next season.

The Manchester United boss was speaking after his side beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties in Moscow.

He said: "When you win something you have to look at the players' eyes to see if the hunger is there.

"Defending the European Cup is not an easy thing to do. I think the team is good enough and they will improve next year.

"We have made one step forward towards getting a respectable figure in terms of Champions League wins and we want to add more and get up there alongside the Liverpools, Bayern Munichs and Ajaxs."

He also admitted that Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs would be slowly "phased out," although Scholes might play 25 to 30 matches next season and Giggs a few less.

"It's something you have to do," he added. "He (Giggs) has had a fantastic career and Paul Scholes and Gary Neville have conducted themselves as real professionals.

"You have to proud of that and that they have done it on my watch is fantastic. To achieve what they have achieved - I'm proud of them."

The win in Moscow was United's third triumph in the competition and leaves them six titles behind Real Madrid, four behind AC Milan's haul of seven, two behind Liverpool's set of five and one behind Bayern Munich and Ajax.

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