Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insisted there would be no repeat of last season's Champions League humiliation.

Ferguson suffered one of the lowest points of his near 20-year reign eight months ago when United failed to reach the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time. The preceding seven years had seen United win the tournament in 1999, reach the quarter-finals on three occasions, the last 16 twice and the semi-finals once.

"After last year, I have a great thirst about the Champions League," said Ferguson. "We have to repay our fans and the club for the disappointment of last season. We won't let them down again."