Tévez tips United to reign again

History suggests it will not be easy but Carlos Tévez is confident that Manchester United FC have the quality to become the first team since Arrigo Sacchi's AC Milan in 1990 to retain the European Champion Clubs' Cup.

Repeat performance
English titleholders United begin the defence of their continental crown at home to Villarreal CF on Wednesday, and Tévez said: "In football the most difficult thing is to do it again the following year. We've won the league and the Champions League and the difficult thing now is to do it again, but I think we have the players and the ability to go and do that."

Early setback
United have made a stuttering start to the Premier League season, taking just four points from a possible nine after Saturday's 2-1 loss at Liverpool FC. Yet Tévez insists they have the quality to bounce back from that setback in their Group E opener against Villarreal. "I think the squad is strong – we've shown this many times when after losing a game we always came back," the Argentinian international said. "We showed it last season by winning two major titles and I think we have the team and the players to be able to pick ourselves up."

Ronaldo lift
It will help to have Cristiano Ronaldo available for selection for the first time this term as he steps up his recovery from ankle surgery, with Tévez noting: "Cristiano is a massive player for us, and to have him at our side is like having an extra player. He is one of the best players in the world and it gives a lot of problems to the opposition when Ronaldo is on the right wing for Manchester United."

Settled
Tévez knows something himself about troubling opposition defences. He scored 19 times in his debut campaign at Old Trafford and opened his 2008/09 account with United's goal at Anfield. Sir Alex Ferguson recognises his value and spoke confidently on Tuesday about Tévez signing a new contract next summer, when the 24-year-old's two-season loan arrangement will end. The player himself would be only too happy to do just that. "I feel very happy with the club and would be very happy if the chairman came and put a contract on the table. I would sign it straight away," he said.