Sir Alex Ferguson’s 10 greatest European games at Manchester United and Aberdeen

Two Champions League titles with Manchester United, plus a European Cup Winners' Cup at Old Trafford and another with Aberdeen prove that Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the all-time great European managers. Here are ten of his greatest games in continental competition. Let us know what you think by commenting below...

1) Aberdeen 3-2 Bayern Munich, 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup Quarter Final

Sir Alex Ferguson has history with Bayern Munich. After drawing 0-0 in Munich, Sir Alex's Aberdeen came back from 1-0 and 2-1 down at Pittodrie to win 3-2 in a titanic second leg. “Fergie told us that we would beat Bayern Munich and we believed him,” said Aberdeen defender Doug Rougvie.

2) Aberdeen 2-1 Real Madrid, 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup Final

Taking Scottish underdogs Aberdeen to three league titles, four Scottish Cups and a Scottish League Cup in a country dominated by Rangers and Celtic was no mean feat, but beating the kings of Europe was Fergie's greatest achievement with the Dons. So determined was Sir Alex to win that he banned his players from communicating with their families in the build up to the final, including midfielder Dougie Bell, whose wife was heavily pregnant. “If she went into labour she was to call Fergie, rather than her husband,” explained captain Willie Miller.

3) Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona, 1991 European Cup Winners' Cup Final

With the five-year ban on English clubs' participation in European club competition lifted in 1990, Fergie had his first crack at Europe in charge of Manchester United. He didn't do too badly in that first season back, either, beating Johan Cruyff's Barcelona in the Cup Winners' Cup final to become only the second manager – along with Cruyff – to lift the trophy twice.

4) Manchester United 1-0 Red Star Belgrade, 1991 European Super Cup

In November 1991 Fergie's United met European Champions Red Star Belgrade in the often derided Super Cup, but this was a chance for his rapidly-improving Red Devils to take on a great European side. Red Star's Dejan Savicevic – who went on to destroy Barca in the 1994 Champions League final – was the star of the show, but as is so often the case Fergie emerged triumphant, thanks to a Brian McClair winner.

5) Manchester United 4-0 Porto, 1997 Champions League Quarter Final

The first few years of Champions League football were a struggle for Sir Alex and Manchester United, but this thumping quarter final win against the dangerous Portuguese side was confirmation that the Red Devils were now a major European force. Goals from Eric Cantona, Andy Cole and Ryan Giggs put them through to Fergie's first Champions League semi final. Heck, even David May scored!

6) Juventus 2-3 Manchester United, 1999 Champions League Semi Final

After a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, Fergie's hopes of a first Champions League final looked dead and buried when Juventus – the best team in Europe in the late '90s – went two up inside in the first 11 minutes. By half-time, however, United were level with goals from Roy Keane and Dwight Yorke, before Andy Cole secured a sensational semi final win in the second half.

7) Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich, 1999 Champions League Final

The icing on Sir Alex's treble cake, this Champions League final victory at last gave him the continental dominance he craved. Despite being outplayed by Bayern, United summoned the never say die spirit that all Ferguson's teams possess to secure a stunning two-goal injury time win. So incredible was the finish that UEFA President Lennart Johansson missed both goals in the time it took him to leave his seat and venture pitchside to present the trophy, which had been draped in Bayern ribbons. Football, bloody 'ell!

8) Manchester United 7-1 Roma, 2007 Champions League Quarter Final

To win 7-1 is spectacular, to win 7-1 in a Champions League quarter final is nothing short of sensational. Goals from Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra and two apiece from Michael Carrick and Cristiano Ronaldo completed what Sir Alex called “absolutely the best night of European football we've had here [at Old Trafford]”.

9) Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (6-5 on pens), 2008 Champions League Final

In 1999 United may have been minutes away from Champions League final defeat, but in Moscow Sir Alex Ferguson was just one penalty kick away from losing to Chelsea. John Terry's slip let United off the hook and they held their nerve to clinch a second European Cup for Fergie. Not even the late, great Sir Matt Busby could match that record.

10) Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United, 2009 Champions League Semi Final

One year on from his Moscow success, Sir Alex again faced a familiar Premier League opponent in a huge Champions League tie. This time he got the better of Arsene Wenger, winning both legs of their semi final, including this demolition at the Emirates and two truly special goals from Cristiano Ronaldo.