Source: SKY_Sports
Fergie happy at the unknown
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is looking forward to going head-to-head with new teams in the UEFA Champions League.
The Red Devils were paired with CSKA Moscow, Besiktas and Wolfsburg in Group B of this season's tournament.
Their campaign gets under way on Tuesday as United take on Besiktas in Turkey and Ferguson is expecting a partisan atmosphere.
The Premier League champions have lengthy trips to Turkey and Russia this season and the Scot would prefer to have shorter travel times.
"The fans have incredible fanaticism," explained Ferguson. "I have been here four times, twice each to Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
"From my past experiences the fans come to the stadium at 12 o'clock. It is amazing. It shows you the passion they have for their clubs.
"It's a group that we've not played any of the teams before, but that's a great experience of Europe. It's something new for us.
"We look forward to it. It's an interesting group. The travelling makes it a little bit more difficult than normal.
"You always hope you get a Dutch, French or German team, so there's not a lot of travelling.
"We've got a bit of travelling to do in this one."
Although Ferguson has lost the likes of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo this summer he is backing his current squad to impress.
"You don't like losing players of that calibre. But he (Ronaldo) has moved on and so must we," he continued.
"We have a young team, with young players, who are improving all the time.
"On top of the experience we have it gives us a very solid strong and powerful squad."
