Man Utd aim to make Euro history

Nottingham Forest claimed back-to-back European Cup wins in 78/79 and 79/80

Not since John McGovern lifted the European Cup for Nottingham Forest nearly 30 years ago has a British club succeeded in winning Europe's most coveted title in successive seasons.

And while defending the European Cup in its old format was difficult, doing so in its new incarnation as the Champions League has proved impossible for Europe's top clubs.

So history will be stacked against Sir Alex Ferguson and his Manchester United side as they attempt to defend their Champions League title.

When Europe's most prestigious competition was revamped in 1992, the change to the group format ensured any side winning the tournament had to negotiate 13 games - four more than it would have taken them to win the European Cup.

BACK-TO-BACK EURO CHAMPIONS 88/89 & 89/80 - AC Milan 78/79 & 79/80 - Nott'm Forest 76/77 & 77/78 - Liverpool 73/74, 74/75 & 75/76 - Bayern M 70/71, 71/72 & 72/73 - Ajax 63/64 & 64/65 - Inter Milan 60/61 & 61/62 - Benfica 55/56, 56/57, 57/58, 58/59 & 59/60 - Real Madrid

Juventus came close in 1998, but having beaten Borussia Dortmund in 1997, they were beaten 1-0 by Real Madrid.

Prior to 1992, as well as Forest, AC Milan, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Ajax, Inter Milan, Benfica and Real Madrid all successfully defended their European crown.

Ajax and Bayern managed it three years running, two teams that were respectively marshalled by Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer.

Former United defender Viv Anderson believes Ferguson, in signing Dimitar Berbatov for £30m, may have found the key to writing a new chapter in Champions League history.

"Mark my words, it will be a very difficult for United to defend the trophy but the signing of Berbatov is very important for them in Europe," said Anderson, who won back-to-back European Cups with Forest in 1979 and 1980.

"Now, all of a sudden they have a different way of playing. They have a focal point, a big presence up front, which is something they maybe lacked last season.

"They were very reliant on Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, but Berbatov brings them something different and gives them a different emphasis.

"They now have a different way of playing and can change their system if necessary and that will be important in Europe."

Berbatov made his debut in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield where United looked distinctly out of sorts.

But Anderson is convinced the former Tottenham man has what it takes to be a success at Old Trafford and help United conquer Europe.

He added: "I think on Saturday's performance it is too early to judge Berbatov but I think he is exactly what Manchester United need.

"It was a big game for him to come into but if he stays at United for the four years on his contract then I think he'll be a huge success."

With Berbatov's signing United seemingly have an embarrassment of striking riches to call upon, and Ferguson's attacking options will be further bolstered by the return of winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 42 goals last season.

If it was up to Anderson, he would play all four forwards.

"They are all intelligent footballers, they can interchange their positions on the pitch and fill holes where need be," he said.

"I think they'll play off each other and work out how to make the team tick. It's about making the opposition worry about you, rather than you worrying about the opposition."

Anderson fondly remembers the double European triumph of nearly 30 years ago.

Forest first won the trophy in 1979, beating Swedish side Malmo in Munich thanks to Trevor Francis's 45th-minute header.

Dimitar Berbatov could hold the key to European success this season

A year later and they were back in the final, this time in Madrid where they faced German side Hamburg, with Forest again winning 1-0, with John Robertson grabbing the winner.

"Second time around is always harder and it certainly was more difficult as we were the team that everyone wanted to beat," said Anderson.

"The opposition you play against know you are the European champions and that motivates them even more than usual, they find an extra gear and play better then they would do normally. You have to be switched on from the very first game.

"The coach of the opposing team would say, 'These are the defending champions, let's go and turn them over.'

"That is only natural and you can understand it. That is why Manchester United will find it difficult this year."

Anderson remembers how manager Brian Clough used to prepare Forest for their European nights, explaining how he kept the team talks brief and concise.

"We got great pleasure and great pride out of winning that first European trophy and we weren't going to give it up lightly," he recalls of his Forest days.

"You have to be switched on from the very first game. Each match is a cup final, it is the opposition's biggest game of the season and you need to get into that mindset from the very beginning and start the campaign well.

"We made it difficult for teams to beat us the second time around because our pride in winning the trophy was so great and we didn't want to lose that.

"But when you play for one of the big clubs you are well used to facing teams that are desperate to beat you."

Anderson also believes the experienced members of United's squad will be key for their Champions League defence.

Viv Anderson was also capped 30 times by England

"When you look at the players that Manchester United have, like Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville and also the manager Sir Alex Ferguson, then there you have people with experience who have seen it all in the game," said Anderson.

"They are well used to playing big games and they will be able to tell players like Nani and Anderson what it takes physically and mentally to win the trophy."

Ferguson could come up against his old rival Jose Mourinho in this year's competition and Anderson believes that the challenge of Inter Milan poses a very serious threat.

"United will find it difficult for the reasons I have suggested," said Anderson.

"I see this year's campaign being the usual suspects but with Jose Mourinho going to Inter Milan, I think they will be strong this season."