Roy Keane, arguably Manchester United’s most driven captain, does not believe that Sir Alex Ferguson will rest until he has eclipsed Liverpool’s haul of five European Cups. David Gill, the United chief executive, has reiterated this week that Ferguson’s retirement is no longer an active topic of conversation at Old Trafford, with the Scot re-energised by the brilliance of his young team.

Keane, the Sunderland manager, was always confident that his former club would retain their league title — “they should have given them their medals ages ago,” he said — and expects his former mentor to target superseding Liverpool’s fine record in European football as his last great challenge. To date, United have won the European Cup twice.

They will have the opportunity to increase their total against Chelsea next week and, as far as Keane is concerned, Ferguson’s motivation is obvious. “It’s about winning,” he said. “What else is there, what else drives you on? It’s about being the best. Obviously, if you’re the best in England, then you want to be the best in Europe. For a club like Manchester United, that’s what you’re in the game for. If you’re the manager, you’ve got to be winning titles.

“It’s very tough in Europe, because you’re competing against some very good teams. You need that little bit of luck — I think that United have lacked that over the years with decisions going against the team — but this year they’re in the final and they have got a hell of a chance.

“So the thing is to catch up Liverpool next. They’re the target that Sir Alex Ferguson set at United when he first got the job.”