Sir Alex Ferguson wary of Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid in Champions League draw

26 August 2010 13:40
Sir Alex Ferguson has identified Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid as major rivals to England's clubs for the Champions League crown on the day of the big draw. [LNB]Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham - who secured their spot in the group stages for the first ever time by beating Young Boys last night - and Ferguson's Manchester United will discover their opponents later today. [LNB]Follow the draw live here from 4.30pm today Big threat: Jose Mourinho took control of Real Madrid this summer[LNB]The draw is due to take place at 5pm in Monaco, with United, Chelsea and Arsenal in the top pot of seeds.[LNB] Tottenham, who have been placed in pot three after their play-off victory, can expect the toughest draw of the quartet.[LNB]Ready: Sir Alex Ferguson[LNB]All the English clubs could be pitched against Real, who are in pot two because of their poor performances in the competition in recent years.[LNB]Spurs could be drawn with Real and Inter Milan, two teams Ferguson has tipped to challenge along with Barcelona. [LNB]He said: 'All the usual suspects will be there fighting it out for the trophy again this year. You've got to think Barcelona and Real Madrid will be closer this season. [LNB]'Last season's winners Inter Milan could be a force again, and I think that'll be the case with ourselves and the other English teams as well. We'll be up there challenging.' [LNB]United suffered a heartbreaking late exit to Bayern Munich last season when Arjen Robben's goal at Old Trafford sent them tumbling out of the quarter-finals. [LNB] Ferguson admits the defeat still hurts but he has vowed to drive United on in the latest campaign.[LNB] He added: 'We were just terribly unlucky last season. We're looking forward to another Champions League campaign. It's always a competition you enjoy being a part of. [LNB]'The important thing, as I say every season, will be to start well. I always set the figure of 10 points as our target in the group stage and it's important we get to that as quickly as we can, just like last season.' [LNB] Hat-trick hero: Peter Crouch's treble fired Tottenham into today's draw[LNB][LNB] CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: The big draw for the group stageTottenham 4 Young Boys 0 (agg 6-3): Perfect Peter - Crouch hat-trick seals £30m place in Champions League eliteHarry brings home the bacon as Spurs seal £30m Champions League place Club-by-club Premier League guide to every transfer deal in summer 2010[LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail