Sir Alex eyes Manchester final

United boss is in the competition to win it

Last Updated: February 23, 2012 9:57am

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Sir Alex Ferguson: Looking beyond Ajax to potential ties with Athletic Bilbao and Manchester City

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Sir Alex Ferguson knows there is work to do but admits he already has his eye on an all-Manchester Europa League final.

Manchester United host Ajax at Old Trafford on Thursday, leading their Dutch opponents 2-0 from the first leg in Amsterdam, and are aiming to join Manchester City in the last 16.

City secured their place in the next round on Wednesday with an emphatic 6-1 aggregate win over defending champions Porto.

And if the Red Devils finish the job against Ajax, the possibility of meeting their city rivals in Bucharest on 9th May moves a step closer.

"Ourselves and City didn't expect to be where we are today," admitted Ferguson, referring to the clubs' failure to qualify beyond the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

"Both of us will be trying to win it and it would be a great final, that."

But Ferguson was keen to acknowledge there are still some dangerous sides remaining in the competition - including the winner of Thursday's contest between Athletic Bilbao and Lokomotiv Moscow, who will face United in the last 16.

"I expect Bilbao to win the tie," he added. "That would be a difficult task for us. You have to recognise there are a lot of teams at a very good standard."