Since then, United have reached the last four themselves before a dramatic penalty shoot-out triumph over Chelsea saw them claim the title in Moscow last May.

However, Senna feels his own side have improved as well.

And having qualified directly by finishing second in La Liga last term, the 32-year-old is going for United's jugular again.

"We can win the group," he said.

"Manchester United have a lot of strengths but we are better now as well, so we definitely feel we can finish first."

Had Senna's career taken a different direction, he could have been starring for the home side tomorrow.

Ferguson approached the Yellow Submarine in the wake of United's European turmoil, only to discover Senna did not want to leave.

"There was contact," he confirmed.

"United spoke to the club and to my agent but I decided to stay with Villarreal, just as I did this summer when someone else was interested.

"I am very happy here and have never really wanted to go anywhere else."

Coach Manuel Pellegrini celebrates his 55th birthday today and even a point would represent an ideal present for the Chilean.

However, the visitors' chances have not been helped by the loss of first-choice strikers Nihat Kahveci and former United striker Giuseppe Rossi, who has been denied the chance to show Ferguson what he is missing by an ankle injury.

In addition, Cristiano Ronaldo is back for the hosts, presenting an extra problem Senna would prefer to cope without.

"Manchester United have a lot of top-class players, so in some senses they will be extremely difficult to beat, no matter who is in their side," he said.

"But you cannot avoid the fact Ronaldo is one of the best in the world.

"He scored an incredible number of goals last season, so it would be fair to say he would present us with far more problems than the other players in United's team."