Over the next three weeks, United will attempt to collect the seven points required to complete a Premier League title hat-trick before heading to Rome to try and become the first side to defend the Champions League.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men could not be in better shape, with the obvious exception of Darren Fletcher, who now knows he will miss United's attempt to defend their European crown following the red card he was so unlucky to receive for his penalty-box tackle on Cesc Fabregas.

And, as the man most likely to lead United out at the Olympic Stadium, Ferdinand could not wish for a better group of players to be behind him.

"I wouldn't swap any of our players for anyone in any other team," said the England defender.

"I look at other players around the world and then look at the ones in our dressing room and I am delighted to be in there.

"I hear a lot of people talking about various players being the best in the world but I am very happy with ours."

However, Ferdinand is cautious. The recent FA Cup semi-final defeat to Everton is proof the better team does not always triumph in a one-off game.

And while he was still a schoolboy in 1992 when Ferguson's team led the league by a point, with a game in hand and only four left to play, only to lose three on the trot and with it the title to Leeds, it is a reminder plenty can still go wrong.

"I'll only be able to tell you after the final whether we are the best United team or not," said the 30-year-old.

"We haven't won anything this season.

"If we don't win the league and Champions League went belly up then we wouldn't be talked about as a successful side, let alone the best one, so we still have a lot to play for."

Next step for United is an Old Trafford encounter with Manchester City.

The Blues head across town knowing their visit last year ended a 34-year wait for an away win, as well as making their own special imprint on the 50th anniversary of the Munich air crash.

Nothing would please City fans more than to inflict the defeat that would give Liverpool genuine hope once more.

Ferdinand is determined to make sure it does not happen.

"I don't want to build it up too much because we could win the derby on Sunday but still lose the next three games," he said.

"But we need to beat City.

"It will be a tough game. They have won their last couple of matches and are on a bit of a roll, so they will feel they can come and do a job on us. It is up to us to make sure it doesn't happen.

"I am not really sure whether they have something to prove but we still do."

However, while the steely focus Ferguson has instilled within his troops ensures the prospect of a Rome finale is put on the back-burner, Ferdinand has allowed his mind to wander slightly.

Having won the most important trophy once, he is desperate to experience it again.

And he knows for United as a club that would mean a fourth triumph, placing them alongside Ajax and Bayern Munich and only one adrift of Liverpool in the overall pantheon of European greats.

"It is all right saying we should have won more European Cups but the fact is we haven't. It is something we have to change," said Ferdinand.

"The manager is saying he wants more, which is the way we are all thinking.

"Collectively it is not just for the manager, it is for us as individuals, the team, the club and the fans.

"We are all in this together and the main aim is to try and be successful."