"The form of the team is good at the moment and the spirit in the camp is as good as I have know it to be in the 10 years I have been here.

"We are disappointed we are 3-1 down, but it's the best chance we have of rising to the challenge because the spirit is good."

Keane believes United's experience of playing European football in the knockout stages for the last seven years will give them the edge. "Our concentration levels are a lot better and control of games is a lot better," he said. "Our patience is very good and we need all that experience tomorrow night. The team has moved on and we have to win a European final again.

"Last year we came unstuck in the semi-finals [on goal difference against Bayer Leverkusen] and we all felt it was there for us."

The Irish midfielder added: "It isn't good talking the talk, you have to walk the walk, and you will see that tomorrow night.

"We are scoring goals and creating chances, the amount we are creating is frightening."

Keane, who underwent hip surgery last September, said he was capable of emulating his match-winning display in the 1999 Champions League semi-final victory over Juventus in Turin.

In that game, he helped United come back from two goals down to carve out a thrilling 3-2 second-leg win.

"Without a doubt!" he said. "A lot has been made of my injuries and maybe a lot of that was my fault for talking too much about them.

"[But] in the last two or three weeks I have felt strong both physically and mentally. The sharpness is back and I'm looking forward to the game.

"This is the biggest challenge we have ever faced.

"Our European form is good, but the ultimate thing is going on to win it like Real Madrid has done nine times.

"That is the benchmark I have set myself and I have set it for my team mates as well... that's what this club has to achieve."