Fergie ready for Italian job.
Serie A suffered a last-16 wipe-out last term, with Inter Milan, Roma and Juventus all eliminated at the hands of English opposition in Europe’s number one competition.
There are plenty who have predicted a similar outcome this time around given AC Milan must face United before city rivals Inter tackle Chelsea.
Both ties have added glamour given David Beckham and Jose Mourinho must tackle their former clubs.
However, the bookmakers are in no doubt the Premier League pair will emerge victorious.
However ahead of United’s trip to face the Rossoneri in tonight’s first leg at the San Siro Ferguson does not expect it to be quite so easy.
He views Milan’s vast experience as an element to be respected, while, after watching the recent derby, he sees Inter being a far stronger force than they were last term.
“I watched the Milan derby and Inter played fantastic,” said Ferguson.
“They were very good and there has been a big improvement, illustrated by their position in the league.
“AC Milan have experience of big games too and we have to be cautious how we approach this game, so I would say there is an improvement in the Italian sides.”
However Ferguson views Barcelona, who gave the Red Devils a footballing lesson in the Champions League final last season, as the team to beat.
“You have to go with Barcelona,” he said. “They have the experience of winning it last year and they are top of their own league too. You cannot write off a team with all that quality.”
Ferguson has also insisted he wants to keep defender Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford.
The Serbian’s future has been the subject of intense speculation for most of this season, with tonight’s opponents AC Milan being linked with a summer move for Vidic and, more recently, Real Madrid.
Vidic’s continued absence from the United line-up with a nerve problem has not done much to dampen down the rumours, with claims surfacing that Ferguson is not greatly impressed with the former Spartak Moscow man’s attitude.
But if that opinion is true, Ferguson has a funny way of showing it judging by the forceful way he declared his desire for the 28-year-old to remain at Old Trafford.
“Of course we want him to stay,” said the Scot. “He is a great player. One of the best centre-backs in the world. Our players are the subject of speculation from time to time. You just have to deal with it.”
Meanwhile, as United prepare to meet up again with old-time hero Beckham, Ferguson has declared world-class Wayne Rooney king of the current breed.
United’s encounter with Beckham’s AC Milan has been built to such a degree that Ferguson timed the first question about the former England skipper at “three seconds” when he offered his opinions at the obligatory pre-match press conference last night.
Although he offered some platitudes to his former player, Ferguson is clearly happier talking about others, in particular Rooney, whose 23 goals this season are largely responsible for United being just a point adrift of Chelsea in this season’s Barclays Premier League title race.
“Manchester United builds up heroes very quickly,” said Ferguson.
“We are peculiar because the players, like Beckham, who come through the ranks are always viewed as better than those you buy.
“But Rooney is also regarded as that kind of player. Although he came from Everton, the fans will always look at him as one of the players who has grown up with us.
“He has been fantastic this season and, without doubt, his form this season has brought him to the high point of his career.
“World-class is a misused term, but with Rooney, you have to say he is getting to the point where he is now one of the best players in the world.”
On Beckham, Ferguson said firmly: “David left seven years ago. You move on in life. That is what happens.
“This is a different team and different players. David has experience. He has over 100 caps for England and has played for Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
“It is the same experience as the likes of Alessandro Nesta, Filippo Inzaghi and Clarence Seedorf. They all have that experience that Milan bring and I hope he is not celebrating at the end.”
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