 Ferguson has been the manager at Old Trafford since November 1986
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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."
After being held to a goalless draw by Spurs at White Hart Lane, United are in third place in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.
"You can't win the Premier League in December," Ferguson said, when asked about the timing of the Club World Cup.
"Yes, it's a little bit of a handicap, but that's what happens when you're successful. I hope we're in Abu Dhabi next year because it means we're successful."
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United arrived in Japan on Monday and face J-League side Gamba Osaka in Thursday's semi-final in Yokohama.
"The most difficult part is to change their body clock in such a short space of time," the manager added.
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."
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