Sir Alex puts the Man Utd party on hold and prepares for final fulfilment

United's greatest manager was in his eloquent element at the player of the year dinner that followed the victory at Wigan. And, as with all great leaders, he was already looking forward.

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Sunday best: Ferguson revels in the title win but now it's back to work

"Tuesday morning will be the start of winning the European Cup," said Ferguson. "Once we've finished our celebrations, we'll get a rest on Monday and then we are ready to go.

"We've got a great chance now. The mood generated by the result at Wigan sees us in a very confident position. I expect my players to have the ability and confidence to play on the biggest stage. I have absolutely no doubts."

As peculiar as it sounds, United may be underdogs as they approach destiny day in Moscow next Wednesday. Chelsea have finished the season powerfully, while the champions have been searching for their best form.

Nevertheless, United will want for nothing in terms of mental and physical preparation and the surge of adrenaline given them by Sunday's achievement is significant.

"They all seem so hungry for success and that is the thing that pleases you most," added Ferguson. "Some Friday mornings before a game the training sessions are so competitive and I say to Carlos (Tevez), "Come on, stop this now" because they are really at it and I'm frightened there is going to be an injury. But that is just a measure of their desire to do well all the time."

Ferguson's only dilemma at the Luzhniki Stadium will concern which hearts to break. "The hardest part is not picking the team but leaving players out of the bench," he said. "I was lucky in a sense in 1999 because Roy Keane and Paul Scholes were suspended. That cut my options down.

"But in Rotterdam for the Cup-winners' Cup Final in 1991 I had to leave Neil Webb and my son Darren out of the squad. And that was not easy. But somebody has to make the decision and the manager is paid to do it."

One more victory stands between Ferguson and personal fulfilment. Sir Bobby's tribute to him was appropriate on Sunday but it will sound hollow to the Scot if he cannot join the pantheon of managers who have lifted the European Cup twice.

"Alex Ferguson's record is simply sensational," said the United goalscoring legend. "The man is a genius. Nothing is beyond him. Whatever position he is in, he knows what to do to get the best out of his players.

"As regards Moscow, I put nothing past these players and certainly not this manager."

Next week's final is full of sub-plots and personal stories. Scholes will play in his first final, Ryan Giggs should break Charlton's own United appearance record, Patrice Evra will look to atone for losing with Monaco in 2004.

Few journeys have been richer than Ferguson's, however. More than anyone, this would be his triumph.

He will be at Carrington at 7am on Tuesday, Sunday forgotten already; eyes on the next game; looking for another stroke of genius.