Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists the team are keen to make their mark by becoming the first British team to win the Club World Cup.
Many have questioned the effect the mini-tournament in Japan will have on United's title chances, with their next league match not until Boxing Day."It's a big incentive to become world champions," Ferguson said. "In 30 years time you look back and say 'Manchester United - world champions' - to me that is what our club's about."
Ferguson's side won the previous version of this event, a one-off match between the champions of Europe and South America, with a 1-0 victory against Brazilian outfit Palmeiras in 1999.
Winning the Club World Cup would represent another milestone for the Scot, particularly as fierce rivals Liverpool lost 1-0 to Sao Paulo in the first tournament under the new format in 2005.
"The media don't take it as seriously as we do," he said. "It's an extra game for us but the prestige attached to the competition now is greater."