Ferguson wary of Porto

Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United have been handed “one of the more difficult draws” after being paired with Porto in the knock-out stages of the Champions League.

The Red Devils were drawn to face the Portuguese champions at today in Nyon after Ferguson admitted his side could have been given an easier route to the final in Germany.

Porto finished second in Group F behind Real Madrid and beat Celtic 3-2 to win the UEFA Cup last season.

They will host United at the Estadio Dragao in the first leg on February 24 or 25, with the return at Old Trafford scheduled for March 9 or 10.

Ferguson said: “It’s one of the more difficult draws. Porto are a very good side and their home form is terrific.

“They won the UEFA Cup last year so it won’t be an easy game but if you want to progress you have to beat the best teams and they are one of the best teams.”

The Scot’s attention was, however, grabbed by Real Madrid’s draw with Bayern Munich, with the two former winners meeting for a place in the quarter-finals.

David Beckham’s Madrid side were the tie to avoid from the group winners while Bayern were arguably the toughest prospect among the runners-up.

Ferguson added: “The real tie of the round is Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. You saw what a side Bayern are on Wednesday (in the home win over Anderlecht) because they really wanted to win.

“Real Madrid have the history – they have won it nine times, Bayern have won it four. It will be a very interesting game.”

Chelsea will face German league leaders Stuttgart in the first knock-out stage.

Stuttgart, who have conceded just three goals in 15 Bundesliga matches, finished behind Manchester United in Group E but beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s side at the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion.

Claudio Ranieri’s expensively-assembled squad impressed in the group stages, with a home defeat to Besiktas the only real blip.

The Blues beat Lazio home and away en route to topping the group, with a 4-0 victory over the Italian side at the Stadio Olimpico particularly gratifying for Ranieri and his team.

History is on their side, with Chelsea having beaten Stuttgart to win the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998.

Arsenal will play Spanish side Celta Vigo after being in danger of missing out on the knock-out stages – or even a UEFA Cup place – after taking just one point from their opening three group games.

Celta Vigo progressed with a surprise win over a below-strength AC Milan side to secure second place in Group H.