Sir Alex Ferguson is already ­targeting next year’s Champions League to reaffirm Manchester United’s status as a major ­European powerhouse.

A sense of injustice still torments Ferguson following the ­controversial dismissal of Nani and the Red Devils' subsequent last 16 exit against Real Madrid.

And barely a week after securing his 13th League title and the 20th in all for United, he was reminded that true stature is measured by that huge European pot. United have won it only three times, twice under Ferguson’s guidance, and he admits that is not good enough.

The drama of last week’s semi-final wins for Bayern Munich and Borussia ­Dortmund against Barcelona and Madrid respectively served to rub salt in the wound.

Ferguson said: “I watched the Dortmund game and I think we should have been there. But for the referee we would have been.

“The Champions League has to be a ­target for us. I’ve said it before, we should’ve done better, we have to do better in Europe.” A United scout was at the Signal Iduna Park as Robert ­Lewandowski rose to the occasion with all his team’s goals in the 4-1 destruction of Madrid and Ferguson did not rule out a move for the Poland striker.

Euro vision: Fergie wants Champions League success (
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Reuters)

“Have I got room for him? I can find room for anybody,” he said.

The Pole’s contract expires next year and Dortmund are expected to cash in this summer. He’s been strongly linked with Bayern, but Ferguson contends that is not a realistic option.

Fergie said: “Dortmund fans are not going to be happy and I don’t think they will sell Lewandowski to Bayern Munich. I think they will let his contract run out, or sell him somewhere else.”

Ferguson insists he is hapy with his strike-force, but Lewandowski may be too good an opportunity to miss. Any bid would inevitably raise further doubts about Wayne Rooney’s future at Old Trafford.

Robin van Persie has established himself as United’s main man and Ferguson added: “He’s becoming a good influence on the young ­players here. He lives the right way, he trains the right way.”

Meanwhile, Robin van Persie reveals winning title with Manchester United made childhood dreams come true.