O’Shea will be future star for United: Fergie
By lunchtime today, Ferguson will know exactly which teams stand in the way of a quarter-final berth.
A re-match with Deportivo La Coruna has already been pencilled in and a trip to either Juventus or Inter Milan is also certain after UEFA confirmed the breakdown of the four pots from which the 16 remaining teams will be drawn in Geneva.
One of Ajax, Basle and Lokomotiv Moscow will make up United’s second phase pool, ensuring there will be no easy route to the last eight.
Not that Ferguson was expecting it anyway. With Spain, Italy and England making up almost three-quarters of the sides to advance to the second group stage, the Manchester United boss believes it is the strongest competition since the Champions League concept was established a decade ago.
“The Spanish influence has been there for the last three or four years but this season the Italians have raised the bar as well,” he said.
“You would have to think it is going to be a difficult tournament to win this year. I’m just hoping all three
English teams can progress to the next stage.
“There is every chance of that happening because Newcastle will really have benefited from the experiences they have had so far. They have a lot of young players who will have learned a great deal.”
At this stage, Ferguson finds it impossible to pick a favourite. Holders Real Madrid are the bookmakers’ choice to reach the Old Trafford final and United will no doubt be relieved that they do not have to face Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane, nor Barcelona or Valencia, who have also been placed in the same pot as the 1999 winners.
United faced Deportivo four times in last year’s competition, losing twice in the opening group stage, before producing two of their best performances of the entire season to overcome the Spaniards 5-2 on aggregate in the quarter-final.
The second game will be remembered for Aldo Pedro Duscher’s wild challenge on David Beckham which broke the midfielder’s foot, ruling him out of the remainder of United’s domestic campaign and almost preventing him turning out in the World Cup for England.
Both Inter and Juventus were beaten on the way to the 1999 final, Roy Keane inspiring that thrilling comeback from 2-0 down in the semi-final at the Stadio Delle Alpi.
Inter would appear to be the preferred option for United, although Ferguson can see dangers lurking at every corner.
“Barcelona have shown the best
European form so far,” said the Scot. “AC Milan and Juventus have done very well too, while Real Madrid have not been quite so convincing this year. It’s such a close competition, I don’t think that you can pick a favourite.”
Having seen his side produce a positive response to the derby-day disaster at Maine Road, Ferguson’s immediate focus will be to pick up three much-needed Premiership points against West Ham on Sunday.
The defeat to local rivals City was their third in total this season and keeps them eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool, with Arsenal also pulling clear in a two-horse championship race.
Ferguson has previously admitted United lack the depth of squad to compete with that illustrious duo and was reduced to selecting from an 18-man squad for Wednesday night’s game against Bayer Leverkusen.
His options would appear to have been further reduced by the thigh injury Rio Ferdinand sustained late in the game.
It is likely to be this morning before Ferguson reveals the extent of the problem, although the England defender’s eagerly-awaited return to his first professional club must be in doubt.
Although it is not the fate he would want, if the £29.3million (€46m) capture from Leeds does miss out, it will save Ferguson a potential selection headache given O’Shea’s superb recent form.
The Waterford man has excelled at centre-back and on the left side of defence already this season and stepped into Gary Neville’s right-back role with ease on Wednesday, providing useful attacking support overlapping Beckham, while retaining an assured manner in his defensive duties.
“Every so often in football, you see a young player who turns a corner and becomes an important part of the future of a club,” said Ferguson.
“The more games we give him, the more experience he will get and the more he will improve. He has great composure on the ball, is lightning quick and has a good physical presence.
“In the future centre-half will be his position but when he can turn in displays like that at full-back, it is a good option for me.”
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