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Fw: Champions league draw (#844) on 26-08-2010 at 12:06:30
Sir Alex awaits Euro draw Sir Alex Ferguson can?t wait for tonight's Champions League group stage draw (live on ManUtd.com 17:00 BST), and he's eager to test his men against the finest sides in Europe?s premier competition.
United?s frustrating quarter-final exit at the hands of Bayern Munich last season clearly still rankles with the United boss, who told ManUtd.com: ?We were just terribly unlucky last season.? But he will no doubt use that as motivation to his players when the competition kicks off on 14 and 15 September.
?We?re looking forward to another Champions League campaign,? he told us. ?It?s always a competition you enjoy being a part of. The important thing, as I say every season, will be to start well. I always set the figure of 10 points as our target in the group stage and it?s important we get to that as quickly as we can, just like last season.?
Sir Alex expects a resurgence from the English sides after the Premier League failed to provide a semi-finalist last term, while Barcelona and Real Madrid, now managed by old adversary Jose Mourinho, are among his tips to challenge for the top prize.
"All the usual suspects will be there fighting it out for the trophy again this year," said the boss. "You?ve got to think Barcelona and Real Madrid will be closer this season. Last season?s winners Internazionale could be a force again, and I think that?ll be the case with ourselves and the other English teams as well. We?ll be up there challenging."
Follow the draw live in ManUtd.com?s rolling blog shortly before events start in Monaco at 17:00 BST, while ex-Red Denis Irwin will answer your questions on the draw in a live webchat on Friday 14:15 BST.
Fw: Champions league draw (#845) on 26-08-2010 at 12:08:21
Fans feeling confident Ahead of today's Champions League draw, we asked fans for their thoughts on United's chances in this season's competition... Neil, Manchester
"I think ourselves and Barcelona are the main contenders. Real Madrid may have a good chance this year as they have a new, proven manager in Jose Mourinho. Personally, I'd rather see us win the league which would be a record 19th triumph, although I think we are much better equipped to win both the league and Champions League."
Chris, East Yorkshire
"We shouldn?t fear anybody this season, they should fear us. Personally I'm not worried about who we'll get in the draw or the knock-out stages for that matter as I believe we can beat anyone. We can definitely go all the way this year; we won?t need to rely on one particular player as we have talent in abundance in the squad."
Gary, Manchester
"I felt that the commitment wasn?t there at the end of last season which is what let us down in the latter stages. However, this season, with a few new additions and another year's experience under our belts we are much better equipped for the competition. I?m going to predict a United/Barcelona final and this time I?m confident we can beat them."
Ryan, Manchester
"I see the biggest threat coming from the Bernabau and Jose Mourinho?s Real Madrid. You have to respect what Mourinho has achieved in football and with a formidable team at Madrid they must be one of the favourites. Nevertheless, should we get drawn with them I'm confident we would win. Despite the disappointment of being knocked out by Bayern last season that was my favourite Champions League match of 2009/10. The football in the first half was sensational and the atmosphere was electric. More performances like that will see us up there challenging for the top honours again."
"My favourite Champions League memory came in '99 when I was up at 5am in the morning to watch Teddy and Ole seal an incredible Treble, I?m hoping for something similar this year. Despite disappointment last year there were some great memories such as the comprehensive 4-0 victory over Milan. We are stronger this year and I think we have a terrific chance.
Mark, Australia
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