Fergie fully expects English test

13 March 2009 16:15
Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced Manchester United will be pitted against English opposition at the Champions League quarter-final stage.United advanced to the last eight by beating Serie A leaders Inter Milan on Wednesday night.They will be joined in next Friday's draw by London duo Arsenal and Chelsea, plus Saturday's opponents Liverpool as the Premier League makes up half the remaining participants.In theory, United could just as easily land FC Porto, Villarreal, Bayern Munich or Barcelona as they look to become the first side to retain the Champions League since its inception in 1992.The Old Trafford outfit have recent history against all four, famously beating Bayern Munich in the 1999 final and Barcelona in the semi-finals last term, while losing to FC Porto - then coached by Jose Mourinho - five years ago before scrapping out four successive group stage goalless draws against Villarreal, including two earlier this term.But after avoiding English opposition at any stage apart from the final against Chelsea in Moscow last season, the Scot has a feeling it is about time for a two-legged domestic showdown."We have managed to avoid English teams whenever we have been in the quarters or semi-finals," he said."But it is quite possible we could play them in the European Cup this year."[LNB]

Source: Eurosport