Ferguson: final double was under-rated

ALEX FERGUSON believes the strife so many of Europe’s big clubs have endured in the Champions League this season proves Manchester United’s achievement in reaching consecutive finals has been badly underestimated.

While the Red Devils have already qualified for the knockout phase and are hoping to confirm their status as Group B winners by beating Besiktas at Old Trafford tonight, a clutch of their biggest rivals are by no means certain to get through.

Liverpool and Bayern Munich may have captured most of the attention, but Barcelona have also struggled and AC Milan and Real Madrid have hardly confirmed themselves among the tournament favourites with their performances in a group also containing Marseille and FC Zurich.