Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Fergie expects tough game

19 Feb 2008 - 13:34:47

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is expecting a tough test when he takes his side to France for Wednesday's Champions League last 16 first leg encounter against Lyon.

Last season's semi-final exit to AC Milan still rankles with the veteran Scottish manager who believes that experience helped to improve his side.

He told United's official website: "We got the hardest draw in terms of the teams we could have faced, but I think we can navigate it successfully.

"Lyon have won their league for the last six years and they're top again this year, so I expect it to be a tough game.

"Losing to Milan last year really hurt us. We just didn't have the legs. We had a bad injury spell in March, which killed us.

"We'd lost Saha from December, then we lost Mikael Silvestre, Ji-Sung Park, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic. Three of those players didn't play again that season.

"Vidic came back against Milan. It was a gamble, one worth taking. Ronaldo was also carrying an ankle injury for that game.

"We were well short of being full-strength, whereas Milan had rested players and were primed for that game. We were unlucky. This year, if we stay fit we'll have a better chance."