Ferguson: English clubs now best in world

Alex Ferguson believes the Barclays Premiership is now the best league in the world.

The Manchester United manager’s comments may appear a little hollow given the sub-standard nature of some of the domestic action this term but, with three quarter-finalists, England has a greater representation in the Champions League than Italy or Spain.

Ferguson would not be surprised in the least if the May 23 final in Athens was a battle between two English clubs.

“There is a chance of an all-English final,” he said. Six or seven years ago, the Spanish league was the best but now I really believe we have caught it up.

“Liverpool’s result against Barcelona in the last round is a good case in point. Real Madrid got knocked out as well, which tells you Spain’s two biggest teams are not at their best.

“Right now, English football is probably the best in Europe.”

Certainly England’s chances of landing some silverware at club level are a lot more plausible than they are in the international arena.

Following a tortuous week in which Steve McClaren’s side were booed by their own fans in Israel and Barcelona, Ferguson accepts Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick were probably glad to get back to the sanctuary of Old Trafford.

“It was a mixed bag in terms of our players’ success at international level over the past week but, when you look at the results, the English lads are probably glad to be back – and we are happy to have them here,” he observed.

For an all-English final to materialise, United would have to navigate their way through a tricky draw which pits them into a quarter-final meeting with Roma and a last four clash with either AC Milan or Bayern Munich.

Although Roma are trailing Inter Milan by some distance in the battle for Serie A, Ferguson has not been fooled into thinking progress into the semi-finals will be automatic for the Red Devils.

Chief problem for United ahead of Wednesday’s first leg in the Olympic Stadium is how to set up defensively against a team that does not have an out-and-out striker.

With Brazilian duo Mancini and Taddei looking to spring inside from the wing positions and Francesco Totti dropping deep, virtually into a midfield slot, Ferguson’s men are faced with a puzzle which does not often present itself in the Premiership.

If they are not careful, United could end up with four orthodox defenders marking no-one, a situation Ferguson is anxious to avoid.

“Their system is a key factor for us because Roma play without a central striker,” he said.

“The issue is what we do about our central defenders, whether we push one onto Totti or whether we let him drift and control the game. We have the players who can adapt but tactically we have to get it right.

“It is not a game that is giving me sleepless nights but if we don’t get ourselves sorted out, it could be a very hard evening for us.”