Manchester United News: Sir Alex Vows to Make Champions League Statement

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has come out swinging ahead of the upcoming Champions League campaign, claiming that his team will not let the mistakes of last year happen again (via ESPN).

Having been comprehensively upstaged by Portugal's Benfica and Switzerland's Basel in the group stages of last season's competition, there will be much focus on how United responds.

"It's fair to say we threw that one away," Sir Alex said, referring to last season's European defeats. "That won't happen again next season."

"We'll qualify from the group stages, I'll make sure of it."

Such comments will be reassuring to United fans, who were left disappointed with the team's effort in the 2011/12 Champions League, as well as its underestimation of lesser opponents.

The Red Devils are currently gearing up for a showpiece exhibition game with Barcelona early next month, a game that will surely mark how far they have to go before reaching the level of the Spanish giants.

Whether or not United will have made any additional signings by the 8th of August remains to be seen, with the trail linking them with targets Lucas Moura and Robin van Persie seemingly gone cold.

The club has already completed deals to bring midfielders Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell to the club this summer though, transfers that Sir Alex surely believes put the club in good stead in Europe.

"We need to make a statement, and show everybody last season was just a blip."

United fans will be hoping that the Scot's fighting words prove justified come May next year.