United destined for Real match-up

Sir Alex Ferguson has said he is looking forward to tea and biscuits with Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon in the knockout phase of the Champions League.

United clinched their place in the Champions League knockout phase as group winners on Wednesday night and destiny could see them drawn with Real in the last 16.

Fergie has been at loggerheads with Real chief Calderon for most of the year over the pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo and after Real could only finish second in their group behind Juventus, a meeting is now possible when the draw is made on December 19.

When asked about the prospective draw Ferguson said: "That would be a nice party wouldn't it?. I look forward to tea and biscuits with Ramon Calderon."
United, who are third favourites to win the trophy again, are football odds of 7.2 with Barcelona heading the betting and Chelsea second favourites.
Fergie's men will be at home in the crucial second leg of the knockout phase, while their other prospective opponents could be Inter Milan, Sporting Lisbon, Atletico Madrid or Lyon.
I think it's safe to say that Fergie would be keen to avoid one of the two clubs from the Spanish capital, but a last-16 match-up with Sporting would be considered a plum draw for the Red Devils.
Fergie though will be concerned about UEFA potentially taking disciplinary action against Wayne Rooney after his tangle with Kasper Risgard in the 2-2 draw with Aalborg.
Risgard believed Rooney should have been dismissed after he ended up with stud marks down his chest. Let's hope UEFA don't follow the lead of the FA, otherwise Rooney could be handed a four-match ban!

By Phil Tomlinson