Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: Barcelona aren't the best
Sir Alex Ferguson has no intention of following Harry Redknapp's lead and declaring Barcelona to be the best club side ever. [LNB]Redknapp offered his verdict last week in the wake of Barca's devastating performance against Arsenal at the Nou Camp that allowed them to sweep into the Champions League quarter-finals as huge favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley on May 28. [LNB]Tottenham could be paired with them in Friday's draw, as could Manchester United. And it is that knowledge, as well as the recent memory of coming out on top against the Catalan giants in a tense semi-final encounter that produced a single Paul Scholes goal, that ensures Ferguson will not fall into the trap of proclaiming Barcelona as unbeatable. [LNB] Unstoppable? Barcelona gave Arsenal a footballing lesson in their last-16 tie[LNB]'It is not good tactics to go into how good Barcelona are and show trepidation or apprehension about it,' said Ferguson. 'I don't think that is our way. You have to face every hurdle as it comes along. [LNB]'We have the experience of playing Barcelona recently. We knocked them out in the semi-final and then lost the final to them in Rome the following year.'[LNB] What Ferguson has noticed is that their star men; Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, always seem to be on the field. Messi and Iniesta have both been involved in 39 of Barcelona's 44 matches this term, whilst Xavi has appeared in 36. [LNB] We beat them... once upon a time: Ferguson cites the 2008 semi-final triumph as evidence Manchester United can compete with Barcelona[LNB]They are figures that exceed United's top appearance makers - Patrice Evra, Darren Fletcher, Nani and Nemanja Vidic - who so far total 35, also from 44 games. [LNB]'The amazing thing about Barcelona is that they very rarely change their team,' said Ferguson. 'It is a fantastic feat when you consider all the games you play nowadays. [LNB]'I don't know what they do in their training. Maybe they carry luck with injuries? [LNB]'Spain is a different type of football. That may be a help. The climate is better. That may be another reason. But we have a big squad because the game in this country drains you. You couldn't play the same players every week. Not in our country.'[LNB] Ronaldo dreaming of Man United reunion rather than Barca showdownAnother blow for Fergie as Ferdinand is set to miss rest of the seasonUnited boss Ferguson backs 'fighter' Robson to win battle against cancerI'm banned for telling the truth! Fergie fumes over punishment but undecided over appeal [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Paul Scholes, Darren Fletcher, Nemanja Vidic, Andres Iniesta, Harry Redknapp, Patrice Evra, Nani, Lionel Messi Places: Barcelona, Rome, Spain
