Sir Alex Ferguson wins his second European Cup

In the pre-season of the 2007-2008 season Alex Ferguson stuck by his promise to bring new faces into Manchester United by signng Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich, Nani and Anderson from Portuguese clubs Sporting Lisbon and FC Porto respectively and little Argentinian firebrand Carlos Tevez on a complicated two year loan deal.

Alex Ferguson now knew his squad were capable of winning the UEFA Champions League. A feat which would be quite fitting due to the fact that, that very season marked the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster in which eight Busby Babes lost their lives.

In that years competition Manchester United stormed through their group of Roma, Sporting Lisbon and Dynamo Kiev with 16 points from a possible 18. The first knock-out round would see Alex Ferguson taking his team to France for the second season running, but this tme they faced a much trickier tie against perennial French Championship winners Lyon. In the the first leg away from home a goal by new boy Carlos Tevez earned Manchester United a valuable 1-1 draw to take back to Old Trafford. The second leg was another tight encounter a solitary Cristiano Ronaldo goal was enough to send The Reds into the quarter-final, where they faced AS Roma yet again.

After the first leg - away from home - was won 1-0 by a stunning Cristiano Ronaldo header Manchester United were firmly in the driving seat. The Reds were in determined mood for the return game and saw out the tie with a relatively comfortable 2-0 victory.

Alex Ferguson was ecstatic as his team made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League for the second year in succession. The team which stood in the way of Manchester United making it to only their third European cup final in their proud history was Catalan giants Barcelona. Although the Spaniards league form was poor that season they were welcoming back the injured Lionel Messi and any team who could boast of such players in their team were a formidble obstacle. After the first leg had ended goaless Alex Ferguson was fearing the worst as United failed to bag themselves an away goal after Ronaldo's penalty miss at the Nou Camp.

The second leg was an equally tight affair, but the Manchester United's fans fears were eased when Paul Scholes smashed a 30 yard screamer into the top corner of Victor Valdes' goal. After some scary moments late in the second half The Reds managed to hold onto their lead and book their place in Moscow's final.

In Moscow Manchester United would have to take on countrymen Chelsea in the first ever all English final in order to claim victory. On a rain soaked Russian evening Alex Ferguson's men made a very bright start and rewarded for their endevour when superb winger Ronaldo headed in a Wes Brown cross to net his 42 goal iof a magnificent season. Although United were leading they didn't rest on their laurels and pressed for second, but after missing two fantastic chances United were punished when a deflected shot by Chelsea's Michael Essien dropped kindly for Frank Lampard who knocked the ball passed the slipping Edwin Van Der Sar to net an un-deserved equaliser.

That goal seemed to knock the wind out of the young Manchester United side and could've went behind when Chelsea's Didier Drogba's 25 yard screamer smashed back of the post. After the 90 minutes had ended goaless the game went into extra-time. In an eventful last period Chelsea were reduced to ten men when Drogba slapped Nimanja Vidic. After Manchester United nearly won the game when Ryan Giggs shot was headed of the line by John Terry the game went to penalties.

In the shoot-out both teams scored their first two penalties and when the prolific Ronaldo stepped up to take United's third the whole world expected the Portugal star to give The Reds a 3-2 lead, but his powerful shot was saved by Chelsea keeper Petr Cech, which gave John Terry the chance to win it for the London side on the fifth spot kick. However it seems like the footballing gods were smiling down on Sir Alex Ferguson's side. When the Chelsea captain was about to strike his penalty he slipped on the wet turf and his wayward shot cannoned back of the post. When Ryan Giggs netted Manchester United's seventh penalty the former Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City striker had to score or The Red Devils would be crowned Champions of Europe. The player nervously stepped up and his penalty was superbly saved by Edwin Van Der Sar giving Alex Ferguson his second Champions League medal.

Not only were Manchester United dominant in Europes they controlled the league title race too. After hauling back long time leader Arsenal - who eventually finished 3rd - it was left for The Reds to fight off Chelsea to be crowned Champions of England for the 17th time in their history.