Manchester United Football Club News

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

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Fergie warns Platini

26 Jan 2007 - 16:06:16

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told new UEFA president Michel Platini not to meddle with the structure of the Champions League format.

The former France international was confirmed in his new role on Friday after winning an election in Dusseldorf to replace 77-year-old Swede Lennart Johansson.

Platini is keen to cut each country's maximum number of Champions League places from four to three, a stance Ferguson opposes.

The veteran United boss said: "The tournament really starts in February, but I think it's okay the way it is at the moment.

"The appeal of the Champions League is when the giants of Spain or Italy or England come up against each other.

"The Champions League has been good. If you go back a few years, there were maybe too many games with two qualifying groups because you had to play about 17 games to win it.

"If you take away the fourth-place teams, the only way to address that is by reducing the competition or by giving other countries two places."