With Manchester United soaring high in the Premier League, no wonder Sir Alex Ferguson was in a relaxed mood yesterday as he fielded questions from reporters during a news conference at the Corinthia San Ġorġ Hotel.
Ferguson and three of the team's elder statesmen, captain Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, are currently in Malta for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Manchester United Supporters' Club.
Sir Alex, recently named as the most powerful person in British sport, rates the current United squad as the best he's ever managed.
"I think in terms of having a complete squad, this is the best," Ferguson mused.
"When you look at the changes we made, considering that the whole group has had opportunities, all the players have proved themselves at that. They have definitely taken to the challenge of playing for United very well and this is always important for the young ones.
"I'm very pleased with the whole season. I think we've got a brilliant squad of 23 to 24 players and the overall quality is very, very good."
Now in his 23rd year in charge at Old Trafford, Ferguson's quest for success shows no signs of diminishing. Invited to reveal the 'secret' behind his extraordinary managerial career, Ferguson replied:
"I think the most important aspect is that you work hard and always try to make the most of the quality you have. You have to keep working hard and with the same enthusiasm, especially when you're doing very well.
"In modern times, some people retire at 50 years of age or 55. A few years ago, I thought the time was right for me to do the same but it was a mistake. Now I don't even think about it.
"Also, I'm in a great club. There's always a challenge, there's always expectation and dealing with good players makes it much easier for me."
Even by their own lofty standards, United have had an outstanding season so far.
After easing into the KO stage of the Champions League and becoming the first English club to lift the FIFA Club World Cup, the European champions reasserted their credentials as favourites to retain the domestic title by stringing together a record run of 13 clean sheets on their way to reclaiming top spot in the table.
On Sunday at Upton Park, United's defensive brilliance, epitomised by Edwin van der Sar's assured display, was the cornerstone of a 1-0 victory over a lively West Ham side who ultimately succumbed to another exquisite goal from Giggs.
Ferguson paid tribute to Van Der Sar's performances and the team's excellent defensive record.
"We've done well in defence, considering that we've tried eight different partnerships in the back four positions this season," Ferguson said.
"We started this run at the end of November and our defensive record has been fantastic. The man who is credited with the record will be Van Der Sar because he's the goalkeeper.
"That we've kept 13 consecutive clean sheets is not entirely down to him but 50 years from now, nobody will talk about who the right-back or centre-half was in certain games. They will only ask who the no.1 was. That's why the focus has been on Van Der Sar."
In the lead-up to the home match against Chelsea, which the Reds won 3-0, Ferguson had suggested that he still regarded the Blues as United's main rivals for the Premier League title.
Although Ferguson expects Chelsea to come good at some point later this season, he now acknowledges that second-placed Liverpool are likely to pose the greatest threat.
"At this moment in time, Liverpool are our main challengers and our greatest threat," Ferguson said.
United lead the Premier League with 56 points, two more than Liverpool who have played a game more.
Looking ahead to United's Champions League clash with Jose Mourinho's Inter, Ferguson jokingly remarked: "When Jose Mourinho came to see our game against Chelsea, he promised me a good bottle of wine, so I'm desperate to get there."
"The games will surely be difficult. Inter have a very experienced team and they have some South American players who give them a tough mentality," the 67-year-old added.
Ferguson again poured cold water on speculation linking Cristiano Ronaldo with Real Madrid and refused to be dragged into commenting on Rafael Benitez's recent allegations that the United manager wielded too much influence on referees.
"Things are always said in the run-in to the league and some try to take advantage of the situation," Ferguson remarked.
"What we think, we've always done this... we've always concentrated on our game. The players have got the experience to handle the pressure."
United have long established themselves among the most entertaining teams around.
This season, they have been getting raving reviews about their exhilarating style in the same way as critics in Spain have been purring on Barcelona's amazing form.
Ferguson sees Barca as United's main rivals if the Old Trafford giants are going to keep their hold on the Champions League trophy.
"Barcelona are taking all the headlines this season," Ferguson said.
"Their performance in the league has been absolutely outstanding.
"I think Barcelona are going to be the biggest threat if United are going to win the European Cup again this season."