We won't be presumptuous - Fletcher

19 March 2010 19:08

Darren Fletcher is confident Manchester United will not get ahead of themselves by believing they are assured of a Champions League final berth.

United managed to avoid favourites Barcelona in Friday's quarter-final draw and also landed in the other half to Arsenal and Inter Milan. It means if Bayern Munich can be beaten in the last eight, French opposition will await in the semi-final as Lyon and Bordeaux do battle in an all-Gallic affair.

Unsurprisingly, United's odds to make their third successive final have tumbled dramatically, but Fletcher warned: "You can be too presumptuous and start looking too far ahead. The warning sides are there. If you go into a tie underestimating a team like Lyon for instance, you will be out."

United's only victory in seven clashes with Bayern came in that never-to-be-forgotten final in 1999 and with Bayern impressively disposing of Fiorentina in the last round, Fletcher is adamant United will treat the German giants with caution.

"People can say various things about the draw but the fact is these teams are in this competition because they have beaten big sides along the way," he added.

"You don't get to the quarter or semi-final of the Champions League by being a poor side.

"It is a tough draw. Outside of Barcelona it is probably as tough as you could have got.

"We played them in pre-season and we were very impressed with them under Louis van Gaal.

"Since Christmas they have hit a bit of form. They have understood the way Louis van Gaal wants them to play.

"In (Arjen) Robben and (Franck) Ribery they have two of the best wingers in world football and are definitely a real danger in the tournament."

Source: PA