Sir Alex Ferguson is targeting at least one more Champions League triumph before he retires. The United manager has ruled Europe on two occasions in his 26 years at Old Trafford – reaching two more finals. He believes he has the squad to challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona this season – and last night watched his side reach the knockout stages of the competition with a fourth straight win. Turning 71 at the end of the year, he knows time is running out for him to emulate his successes of 1999 and 2008 – but he believes his side can triumph in the final at Wembley again this season. “I think in terms of the history of our club, we should have one more and I want to win it again and get into the bracket of winners like Liverpool, our biggest rivals, Bayern Munich and Ajax,” said Ferguson. “I think AC Milan and Real Madrid have got separated from the rest of the bunch but that definitely drives me on a bit. “I get really frustrated when I think about the opportunities we have had to win it, but you can’t be greedy. You look at my career and I have won two European Cups and the Cup Winners’ Cup and I am proud of that.” United’s form in Europe has been perfect this season despite frights against Cluj and twice against Braga. “We were maybe caught on the hop last year as we have treated the group stage as an opportunity to play younger players, we got caught out last season it didn’t work,” he said. “But we were careless also and this year we made sure we were going to qualify and so far we have done well.” Ferguson’s assistant Mike Phelan admitted that the 3-1 scoreline against Braga flattered United. “It was a little bit surprising that we should have scored three,” he said. “We weren’t doing anything in the game before that. With the lights going out and the rain and a quick substitution, it changed the evening for us. “Robin van Persie was instrumental in getting us a bit further up the field and he took the goal really, really well. “Our intention this year was to get out of the group stage very, very quickly. We’ve done that.” United defender Rio Ferdinand, who like Reds keeper David de Gea celebrated his birthday yesterday, Tweeted: “Nice birthday present that, 3 points + qualified to knockout stages! “Thanks to those who supported in the rain + those at home, Lovely jubbly!”