Alex Ferguson has hailed the current Manchester United squad as the best of his tenure but does not believe they can win five trophies this season.

United have already won the World club championship and Carling Cup. They are four points clear at the top of the Premier League and still in contention for the FA Cup and Champions League.

Ferguson told the New Statesman: “The thing about cup football is you need to be the best but you also need a lot of luck and I think it’s asking too much for all the games to go your way.

“The one thing I will say is, this squad is the best I have ever had. Every game we play, I feel confident.

“At the moment, every attack fears our defence and every defence fears our midfield and attack. That gives you confidence but it is too tough a call.”