Ferguson says Champions League is getting tougher

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United won't be favourites to win the Champions League this season.

Ferguson's side, who lifted the trophy after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea last season, begin their defence of the European crown next month.

The Premier League club have been drawn in a relatively comfortable group with Scottish champions Celtic, Spain's Villarreal and Danish club Aalborg.

But Ferguson believes the presence of the likes of Inter Milan and Barcelona in the competition means United cannot be regarded as the leading contenders to triumph in next year's final in Rome.

"It is a great challenge for us, " said the United boss. "First of all we have to progress from the group stage and to do that you need...