Manchester United Football Club News

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

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Fergie fires Lille warning

15 Dec 2006 - 12:26:24

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Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Lille that the Manchester United side they will face in the last 16 of this season's Champions League is a much tougher proposition to last term.

The Red Devils lost 1-0 to the French side at Stade de France in last year's group stage on their way to a shock early exit from the competition.

But 12 months on and with the memory of last season's failure to progress from the group stage still fresh, the United boss believes his team won't be so forgiving.

"We had a bad experience last year but this is a different United team," Ferguson told the club's official website.

"It's an emerging team, which is getting better all the time. We're really looking forward to the tie.

"To get to this stage is fantastic and we have improved so much since last year. I am sure they will be two great games.

"We know they will be difficult, but that's what the Champions League at this stage is all about."