SIR Alex Ferguson is not the only person wishing to end his career on a Champions League high writes Chris Sudlow

Fergie's dreams of winning the Final at Hampden Park on May 15 are well-documented.

In Munich on Tuesday night he will face somebody who has even more control over the destination of the trophy.

For Bayern skipper Stefan Effenberg, a commanding figure in last year's quarter-final defeat of the Reds, is back to fitness in his last season with the champs.

More than three and a half months after his last appearance Effenberg was set to return to the squad for the Bundesliga match away to Werder Bremen today.

He told the Bayern website (www.fcbayern.de): "If nothing untoward happens, you can assume I'll be playing. My fitness is such that I can handle the pace, but I need match practice, of course, to get back into a rhythm."

The 33-year-old influential midfielder has been nursing an injury to the instep of his right foot since the end of July, but now he intends to return with a vengeance. "My recent training program has been like preparing for a new season. For me, this is the beginning of the season.

"Let's not forget we all have the same objectives: to win the Bundesliga title for the fourth year in succession and to defend our Champions League title."

United, meanwhile, will be desperate to avenge last season's defeat and start the second group phase with an imposing performance themselves.

While defeat would not immediately harm their chances, it would hardly be ideal preparation for next week's trip to Arsenal in view of their recent poor run of results.