United pleased with draw

20 March 2009 12:17
Manchester United secretary Ken Ramsden has declared himself pleased after the holders drew Porto in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final. [LNB] United managed to avoid a possible clash with their English counterparts but the Red Devils representative insisted that the tie would be by no means easy with the first leg at Old Trafford.[LNB]The match will be the first time the sides have met since Porto, then managed by Jose Mourinho, knocked United out of the competition at the last-16 stage five years ago.[LNB]In fact Sir Alex Ferguson's men have only beaten the Portuguese side twice in the six games they have faced each other, losing two and drawing two of the remaining matches.[LNB]"I think we should be pleased. That doesn't mean we will go through automatically. I think it's a good draw for us," Ramsden told Sky Sports News.[LNB]"In a perfect world I think Alex would prefer to be away first but the draw is what the draw is and we make the most of it.[LNB]"Porto have great pedigree and we have great respect for them. This is not an easy tie."[LNB]Ramsden admitted that he was pleased to have avoided a two legged tie with the other three English clubs, but the semi-final draw has thrown up the possibility of United facing Arsenal, who face Villarreal in their last eight clash. [LNB]"Speaking personally because I'm a traditionalist I think in Europe we want to play a European team," he added[LNB]"But as it is with the four teams, it's inevitable it will happen. It would mean that one English team would be in the final anyway, let's hope it's us."[LNB]United won the competition last season against Chelsea on penalties and Ramsden has revealed memories of Moscow still drives the club on.[LNB]"Having won it last year you're reminded of the joy," he explained.[LNB]"We still feel the joy from Moscow and so it's a very nice feeling and we want it to last as long as it can."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports