NO wonder Sir Alex Ferguson sent an immediate “great draw” text to Chief Executive David Gill in Monaco.
“Yes, Alex is happy with the draw,” smiled Gill after Manchester United were given what looks like a cakewalk in Group C.
He also revealed that United are “well equipped” to deal with the demands of their bid to win the
Champions League and Premier League.
“There will be no more new arrivals,” said Gill. “We have already made some great signings and it is an outstanding squad.”
United were the first side pulled out by former great and director Sir Bobby Charlton at yesterday’s draw for the group stages.
A good omen? Ferguson (left) will hope so as he goes in search of revenge for last season’s Wembley defeat to Barcelona.
Europe is his priority this season and 1968 final opponents, Benfica, French club Basel and little Romanian club Otelul Galati should be no problem for United.
The one frustration of Ferguson’s glittering career is that he hasn’t won the Champions League more.
Manchester City managed to avoid a Group of Death they feared in their first venture into the
unknown.
Bayern Munich are their biggest hurdle, although Roberto Mancini’s star-studded, millionaire line-up
should go through.
City have the squad to finish above Villarreal and Napoli to qualify for the knockout stages with the German giants.
Two qualify from each group and the way the draw came out all the big guns should avoid shocks.
UEFA look like having the 16 best and biggest in the knockout stages. Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas knows impatient owner Roman Abramovich wants the Champions League most of all.
It is the pressure he lives with and Chelsea should sail through against Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen
and Belgium champions Genk.
They will come up against former player Michael Ballack in Germany and new £26m signing Juan Mata
will face a return to Valencia.
Failing to get out of this group is unthinkable for Villas-Boas. If he doesn’t he will no doubt be sacked.
Chelsea still have not flared into life as Villas-Boas tries to stamp his own impression on the team.
Arsenal only got through on Wednesday night and manager Arsene Wenger will be breathing a
little easier now.
He and his players don’t believe there is a crisis and a group with Marseille, Olympiakos and Borussia Dortmund is not so tough.
Wenger has never won the Champions League and his squad doesn’t look strong enough to end
his wait this season.
It is a draw that did English football proud and all four Premier League clubs should get through. It will be a big
surprise if they don’t.
Whether they can topple favourites and current champions Barcelona or second favourites
Real Madrid is another question.
The Premier League is called the biggest and most exciting league in the world. Yesterday’s draw gave
us the opportunity to prove it.
The drama will unfold over the winter months and there is no doubt who was the happiest
manager last night.
Ferguson, 70 in December, will believe that this, finally, is his year to complete a hat-trick of
Champions League victories.
United have started well, a new young team is in place to dominate for years and yesterday he was handed a dream draw.
No wonder he hit the smiley text button as soon as the draw was over.
He also revealed that United are “well equipped” to deal with the demands of their bid to win the
Champions League and Premier League.
“There will be no more new arrivals,” said Gill. “We have already made some great signings and it is an outstanding squad.”
United were the first side pulled out by former great and director Sir Bobby Charlton at yesterday’s draw for the group stages.
A good omen? Ferguson (left) will hope so as he goes in search of revenge for last season’s Wembley defeat to Barcelona.
Europe is his priority this season and 1968 final opponents, Benfica, French club Basel and little Romanian club Otelul Galati should be no problem for United.
The one frustration of Ferguson’s glittering career is that he hasn’t won the Champions League more.
Manchester City managed to avoid a Group of Death they feared in their first venture into the
unknown.
Bayern Munich are their biggest hurdle, although Roberto Mancini’s star-studded, millionaire line-up
should go through.
City have the squad to finish above Villarreal and Napoli to qualify for the knockout stages with the German giants.
Two qualify from each group and the way the draw came out all the big guns should avoid shocks.
UEFA look like having the 16 best and biggest in the knockout stages. Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas knows impatient owner Roman Abramovich wants the Champions League most of all.
It is the pressure he lives with and Chelsea should sail through against Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen
and Belgium champions Genk.
They will come up against former player Michael Ballack in Germany and new £26m signing Juan Mata
will face a return to Valencia.
Failing to get out of this group is unthinkable for Villas-Boas. If he doesn’t he will no doubt be sacked.
Chelsea still have not flared into life as Villas-Boas tries to stamp his own impression on the team.
Arsenal only got through on Wednesday night and manager Arsene Wenger will be breathing a
little easier now.
He and his players don’t believe there is a crisis and a group with Marseille, Olympiakos and Borussia Dortmund is not so tough.
Wenger has never won the Champions League and his squad doesn’t look strong enough to end
his wait this season.
It is a draw that did English football proud and all four Premier League clubs should get through. It will be a big
surprise if they don’t.
Whether they can topple favourites and current champions Barcelona or second favourites
Real Madrid is another question.
The Premier League is called the biggest and most exciting league in the world. Yesterday’s draw gave
us the opportunity to prove it.
The drama will unfold over the winter months and there is no doubt who was the happiest
manager last night.
Ferguson, 70 in December, will believe that this, finally, is his year to complete a hat-trick of
Champions League victories.
United have started well, a new young team is in place to dominate for years and yesterday he was handed a dream draw.
No wonder he hit the smiley text button as soon as the draw was over.
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