United relishing Bayern test

(GSM) – Manchester United club secretary Ken Ramsden insists that the Manchester giants are delighted in drawing Bavarian giants Bayern München after Friday’s UEFA Champions League draw.

After conclusion of this week’s round of 16 legs, and the line-up for the quarter-finals adjudged, the draw took place at Nyon which failed to disappoint as the English involvement in this year’s competition delivered a couple of crackers.

Arsenal take on Barcelona in a repeat of the 2006 final, while United square off against Bayern, who were conquered by the Red Devils in the 1999 showpiece.

United may have landed Europe’s top honour over the Bundesliga outfit a decade ago, thanks to late goals from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham, but the German super-powers boast a formidable record against the English champions.

“Of all the opponents we could have drawn they have the best record against us,” admitted Ramsden, whose side’s win over four-time winners Bayern was their only success in seven meetings.

“But we won the most important one so we’re not frightened of them and no more than they would be frightened of us.

“They’re a special club, we met them in pre-season and they are a most hospitable and efficient club and we enjoyed working with them and we’re looking forward to two very good games.”

Ramsden admitted United, who lost last year’s final to Barcelona, were glad to avoid the Catalan giants with a semi-final date against a team from France with Liege 1 duo Olympique Lyon and Bordeaux pitted against each other.

But the Red Devils secretary insists Sir Alex Ferguson will not be plotting a potential route to the final for a fourth European crown in the Santiago Bernabeu showpiece just yet.

He added of Ferguson’s mindset: “I don’t think he plans this far ahead but if we chose the draw this would be a good draw but the games are there to be won and we are a long way from the final yet so there will be no complacency at Old Trafford.