Ferguson wary of Barcelona threat in last 16

By ROB HARRIS

Published December 9, 2008 at 12:14 p.m.
Updated December 9, 2008 at 2:35 p.m.

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MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Just reaching the knockout stage of the Champions League isn't enough to satisfy Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

The Scot also wants his team to advance by winning its group, and United will likely have to beat Aalborg on Wednesday to do it — even with some key players absent.

"It's always better to be No. 1," Ferguson said Tuesday. "I think our experience of coming second in the groups is not good over the years. So it's better that we win the group, then we know we've got a home game in the second leg in the last 16."

Last season, United faced few obstacles on the way to winning its third European Cup.

"Overall, I don't think we are doing a lot wrong in Europe," Ferguson said. "As holders the expectation has been delivered. In fact I am probably happier this season because the players have that bit more experience behind them."

Aalborg has already clinched third place in Group E and United just has to match Villarreal's result at Celtic to progress as group winners and avoid some of the strongest European teams in next week's draw.

No team has defended the European Cup since 1992 when the competition format was changed, and Ferguson knows he has set his sights high by demanding a repeat of last May's triumph over Chelsea.

English rivals Liverpool and Arsenal have already qualified, but Ferguson said United must be wary of Barcelona, last season's semifinal opponents.

"All the English clubs have a good chance of going all the way, and hopefully we will see them filling the semifinal places again," Ferguson said. "Barcelona are the biggest outside threat for me, though, after changing their format and improving their goals-against record.

"However we have a good squad that has quality in depth as well as being bigger than last year's. We are certainly better placed to defend our trophy than we were after winning it in 1999."

The Red Devils were ousted by Real Madrid in the 2000 quarterfinals.

"During that first season after the treble, we were naive tactically," Ferguson said of his team, which also won the Premier League and the FA Cup. "Our opponents had sussed us out and we failed to respond, but I think we are better these days from a tactical point of view."

Newly crowned European player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo and midfielder Michael Carrick will miss the final Group E match with injuries but should be fit for Saturday's crucial Premier League match at Tottenham. Right back Rafael da Silva will be rested ahead of the trip to White Hart Lane, giving captain Gary Neville a rare opportunity to lead the side out at Old Trafford.

"He knows exactly what happens when a young player like Rafael breaks into the club," Ferguson said. "When they have such outstanding ability and show such outstanding form there is not a lot you can do about it.

"It is a great aspect of the game that a young boy can turn the corner and take someone's place. At the moment the performances of Rafael have been keeping Gary out."

The 33-year-old Neville knows his chances in the first team will be limited.

"I have not been able to stay fit enough long enough, or produce consistently good enough performances to stay in the team, simple as that," he said. "I am fit. I was fit for the game last week. But, am I fit to the level you expect or the level I want to be at? I want to get to seven, eight, nine or 10 games over a longer period. That has got to be the aim for me."

Wednesday presents a last chance for Aalborg coach Allan Kuhn to impress before handing over to Magnus Pehrsson and returning to his job as assistant — despite an 11-match unbeaten run since filling in for Bruce Rioch, who was fired in October after a 3-0 loss to United.

"We haven't lost a game since Allan came in," Aalborg captain Thomas Augustinussen said. "Some small details have been changed, which means our defense is better. That means our attack has improved as well."

Whatever the outcome, Kuhn doesn't expect to see United winning in Rome in May.

"Manchester United are a great side, but I think it will be more difficult for them this time," Kuhn said. "Maybe they got a little luck with the John Terry penalty. You do need luck to win the Champions League, but there are a lot of great teams around to give them a fight."

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