USA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Alex Ferguson says Manchester United are still second best to their next opponent -- Barcelona.

Record ID: 336220

  • Title: USA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Alex Ferguson says Manchester United are still second best to their next opponent -- Barcelona.
  • Date: 29th July 2011
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES (JULY 28, 2011) (REUTERS) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER ALEX FERGUSON AND DEFENDER PATRICE EVRA AT PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER ALEX FERGUSON SAYING: "I think their performances and feats over the last few years have elevated them in everyone's mind that they're the best team, currently, in the world. I'm qui
  • Embargoed: 13th August 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAE2S4VTEX0PKTWTQMA6OO1FM0L
  • Story Text: Manchester United are still chasing Barcelona to be the best club in the world according to manager Alex Ferguson.
    A day after handily beating an MLS-select team, the Red Devils moved to Washington, DC, on Thursday (July 28) for the last leg of the U.S. tour where they face their Champions League nemesis -- Barcelona.
    "I think their performances and feats over the last few years have elevated them in everyone's mind that they're the best team, currently, in the world. I'm quite happy to be second place at this moment, because that's our challenge. Our challenge will be to get to that level," explained Ferguson.
    "I think that obviously it's not about the actual football team, it's a philosophy -- what they believe in, how they coach, how they produce young players -- and we have the same drive ourselves to produce our young players," said the long-serving manager.
    The 69-year-old Scot even suggested a showdown of the two clubs younger players for their friendly on Saturday (July 30).
    "They played Bayern Munich yesterday and played all their young players and beat Bayern 2-0. They were fantastic. If I thought they would play all their young players on Saturday, I would put all my young players in and it would be a fascinating game," suggested Ferguson.
    For the players, the friendly in Washington will no remove the pain of last season loss to the in the Champions League final to the Catalan club. Only a rematch on the European stage will do.
    "I would like to play against them in the Champions League again and win, cause I already lost twice and it's really painful. You know, when I play against a team like that, I just want to beat that team, because for the moment it's the best team in the world, and for a Manchester player it's difficult to accept that, because you want to be the best team in the world. That's why you just want to play a team like that and make sure you beat them," explained French defender Patrice Evra.
    Focusing on the Premier League, Ferguson expected another tight race in the next season.
    "I think there's probably five teams who will contest and anyone can win it. I think the best way we can deal with it is deal with ourselves. The challenge is on us. Always will be. The expectation's on us. . . good," he said.
    For Ferguson, the real action will start in a week's time when they face Manchester City for the Community Shield.
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