• Champions League

Sir Alex believes United are closing in on Barca

ESPNsoccernet staff
October 19, 2011
Sir Alex Ferguson has led Utd to two Champions League titles © Getty Images
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Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United are fast closing the gap on reigning European champions Barcelona.

Ferguson's side suffered a 3-1 defeat to Pep Guardiola's men in last season's Champions League final, but believes momentum has begun to shift back toward the Premier League club.

"That's always going to be the challenge [catching Barcelona]," Ferguson is quoted as saying in The Mirror. "We've introduced some young players to the club this season who have tremendous ability and a great energy and spirit about them.

"So I think we're making great strides towards that level Barcelona have reached these past two or three years.

"Sometimes these things go in cycles and at the moment Barcelona are in the middle of a fantastic cycle of having a tremendous squad of players. But that changes over time and at the moment English football is in a good cycle in terms of the four teams that are represented in Europe every year.

"In the last few years we've got to finals and semi-finals in Europe. So I think England and Spain are at the top at this moment in time, but Barca are obviously the target for everyone."

Ferguson has tipped Barca, along with their Spanish rivals Real Madrid and German giants Bayern Munich, to fight it out for this season's European title alongside the Premier League clubs in the competition.

"The fact Bayern are going to have the final on their own ground is a big incentive for them," said Ferguson. "They haven't lost many goals, they've been very strong defensively, so you'd have to look at them as one of the teams that will be challenging to be there in the final. Playing on their own ground would be a fantastic advantage for them.

"Barcelona and Real Madrid, without a doubt [are among the favourites]. But I think the English teams like ourselves, Chelsea and Manchester City will make a good show of it."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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