Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced England's top clubs will continue their dominance of the Champions League this season.
The Premier League has supplied three of the four semi-finalists for the past three seasons, plus a finalist in each of the last five, but there are some who claim a weakening of standards in England, coupled with the huge amounts of money spent by a Real Madrid outfit desperate to reach the final in their own Bernabeu Stadium next May, will ease that stranglehold.
"The English teams will be involved in the semi-finals again," he said. "They have been very dominant in the tournament for the last six or seven years. That is shown by the evidence of the latter stages and I think it will be the same this year."
Manchester United will book their place in the last 16 with two games to spare if they beat CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Chelsea are similarly well placed after their opening three games, while it would be a major surprise if Arsenal did not make it through after collecting seven points so far.
In contrast, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich are currently outside the automatic qualification spots, while AC Milan and Real Madrid have already lost matches in a group they were expected to dominate completely.
"Obviously Barcelona are one of the favourites," he said. "You cannot dismiss them. But there is no question in my mind that the English teams will compete for the trophy."
Comment 1 - 13 of 13
hahahahahaha, kopite!!!, scouse scum @#$% again 1-1, and man utd are through!!!
10...Hmmm i wonder if you are aware of the scores tonight...you were saying??...CSKA are @#$%.ting all over you WANCUNIANS
english teams will domanate the cl as ours is the most competative leugue. bar barca an maybe real. man u or chelsea look the only sides to go on an win early season form is hard to judge as you always get a bad spell its when it comes an how it affects the team if it comes at the wrong time your out so the cup will go to the team that can keep focus in big games also 9 you know nothing its spain england england italy england proving epl domanance
Yip you muppet, United are the strongest of the four hence why they have won the prem 3 years on the bounce and been to back to back champions league finals - unlike whatever LOSERS you support. So wind your neck in. LAD
England-Spain-Italy-England-Spain-Italy-England-...
Th is is the cycle in CL if we look at the history.
Bayern Munich tried to interfere briefly.
The only reasonable statement Fergie has made since I knew him.Fergie kindly tell Platini that if EUFA mistakenly banned EPL teams because of debts,the EPL and SPL teams will form our own Champions League and I bet you it will be more interesting than the status quo
Let's put in simply . . . . . Loserfool wl b knocked out fm the group stage. Arsenal & Chelsea wl probably play each other & one wl get knocked out. Man Utd wl go all the way to the final & clinch the cup back to Old Trafford!. There u hv it!, . . . simple!.
I like the way Fergie views football..... he never brags like others do, and like a true sportsman, he knows in football you can win and loose as well. unlike others.... and that's why my team, Man U will be a team to watch always..... GO GO GO MU......... GO bring back a win from Russia!
chelsea and arsenal will liverpool could and should go out before end group stages and utd arent good enough. I think chelsea arsenal, barca, real could all be there abouts plus their will probably a non expected team near the final. Id like to see bayern or inter or juve do quite well
chelsea 4 ever.
I have no doubt that two english clubs will contest the semis...Arsenal and Chelsea.
Lets see if Old Whiskey Nose is soo complimentary towards the premiership teams when it is not HIS in the Final...
Chelsea, Barca, Real and Arsenal are the top 4.
You resisted having a dig at Loserpool but I have no such qualms so I'll do it for you.
All the English teams except .........
No Doubt about that. For Now. Chelsea Was dead Last season because of the UEFA. Manchester i will surely will not at final. Liverpol was also. But Arsenal has a chance. How about Spain Itally
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