Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United face
a stern test in this season's Champions League after a
tough-looking draw in the group stage.
United were drawn in Group B - not so much the Group of Death as
the Group of Jetlag - with the prospect of long-distance trips to
Besiktas in Turkey and CSKA Moscow as well as strong opponents in
German champions Wolfsburg.
Last season's beaten finalists look to have the most daunting
draw of all the British clubs, who all avoided the European
heavyweights of Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Milan sides.
Ferguson is not a fan of long away trips in Europe, and he told
the club's official website: "These are difficult ties especially
the trips to Russia and Turkey.
"CSKA have developed strongly in the last few years and games in
Turkey are always difficult. "We also know the quality that we're
up against with Wolfsburg, with what they achieved in the
Bundesliga last season."
Ferguson's mood will not have been lightened by the knowledge
that United face two major Premier League clashes after their long
trips - they are at home to Manchester City after travelling to
Turkey and away at Liverpool four days after their Moscow
journey.
David Gill admitted the draw could have been kinder to United.
He told Sky Sports News: "I think pot four was the
interesting one, I think most clubs would have preferred not to get
the German champions out of that, but we got it. "But overall we
have to be happy with it and look forward to starting in three
weeks. Besiktas away, long trip first one, but we will see where we
go from there."
United would have preferred to have avoided a trip to Istanbul
first up, while a lengthy trek to Russia lies ahead when they face
CSKA.
Gill, though, is adamant the Red Devils will have no problem
coping with travelling to far-flung destinations and admits the
club are looking forward to heading back to Moscow - the scene of
their 2008 triumph.
"I think you can get psyched out by that sort of thing," he
said. "We are in the competition and we will get on with it and I'm
sure it won't affect on the games either side in the Premier
League.
"We will look forward to going back to Moscow, after those great
scenes in 2008, so we have got to be excited about." The first
round of matches will be played on September 15 and 16.
