Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted it will be far harder for Manchester United to land the treble this season than it was in 1999.
United still have the chance to emulate their historic achievements of 12 seasons ago, even though they must overcome Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League, Manchester City in the FA Cup and retain their current status at the top of the Premier League.
However, it is not Ferguson's opponents that bother him so much as the mounting injuries he is having to contend with.
"It is going to be more difficult than it was in 1999," said Ferguson. "We didn't have the injuries we do now. There is a great desire to do it, but we have so many injuries to defenders at present.
"We will never give in though. No matter what happens, you always feel Manchester United will score in the last minute. We must have a chance, but it is more difficult than it has ever been."
Ferguson was speaking at a press conference to announce United's match with Major League Soccer's All-Star team at the Red Bull Arena on 27 July, part of a five-match tour in the USA that will conclude in Washington three days later with the Red Devils to face Barcelona.
By that time, the two clubs could have met in the Champions League final at Wembley. Barça are one of the favourites to take the competition and will meet Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their quarter-final next week.
However, a meeting with Pep Guardiola's men is something Ferguson would relish, even though old friend Harry Redknapp has labelled them the best club side ever.
"Hopefully they have reached their peak already," said Ferguson. "They are an example to everyone of how to play football.
"Xavi and Andres Iniesta show so much courage to always want to take the ball and they have the little magician Lionel Messi up front, who is wonderful to watch. People say they don't want to play against them. I think it is a privilege. It is the kind of challenge you want."
Ferguson confirmed Antonio Valencia will miss the USA tour due to his commitments at the Copa America with Ecuador. Javier Hernandez will also sit out the first part as he is required to play in the Gold Cup for Mexico.
It was on last year's tour that Hernandez first signalled he was going to be an impressive new recruit for the Old Trafford outfit. The forward has gone on a recent scoring burst that has taken his tally up to 16, putting him in line to match a lofty pre-season target set by Paul Scholes.
"When he scored his first goal on that tour, Paul turned to me and said '25 goals'," said Ferguson. Paul doesn't say much, but he a great professional and a fantastic judge.
"Javier has 16 goals now, so with eight games left and, hopefully, a few European and FA Cup ties, he could get 25 and Paul would have been right."
United still have the chance to emulate their historic achievements of 12 seasons ago, even though they must overcome Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League, Manchester City in the FA Cup and retain their current status at the top of the Premier League.However, it is not Ferguson's opponents that bother him so much as the mounting injuries he is having to contend with.
"It is going to be more difficult than it was in 1999," said Ferguson. "We didn't have the injuries we do now. There is a great desire to do it, but we have so many injuries to defenders at present.
"We will never give in though. No matter what happens, you always feel Manchester United will score in the last minute. We must have a chance, but it is more difficult than it has ever been."
Ferguson was speaking at a press conference to announce United's match with Major League Soccer's All-Star team at the Red Bull Arena on 27 July, part of a five-match tour in the USA that will conclude in Washington three days later with the Red Devils to face Barcelona.
There is a great desire to do it, but we have so many injuries to defenders at present.
Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United coach
However, a meeting with Pep Guardiola's men is something Ferguson would relish, even though old friend Harry Redknapp has labelled them the best club side ever.
"Hopefully they have reached their peak already," said Ferguson. "They are an example to everyone of how to play football.
"Xavi and Andres Iniesta show so much courage to always want to take the ball and they have the little magician Lionel Messi up front, who is wonderful to watch. People say they don't want to play against them. I think it is a privilege. It is the kind of challenge you want."
Ferguson confirmed Antonio Valencia will miss the USA tour due to his commitments at the Copa America with Ecuador. Javier Hernandez will also sit out the first part as he is required to play in the Gold Cup for Mexico. It was on last year's tour that Hernandez first signalled he was going to be an impressive new recruit for the Old Trafford outfit. The forward has gone on a recent scoring burst that has taken his tally up to 16, putting him in line to match a lofty pre-season target set by Paul Scholes.
"When he scored his first goal on that tour, Paul turned to me and said '25 goals'," said Ferguson. Paul doesn't say much, but he a great professional and a fantastic judge.
"Javier has 16 goals now, so with eight games left and, hopefully, a few European and FA Cup ties, he could get 25 and Paul would have been right."
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