'Hardest draw we could have' - Ferguson

Updated 19.36 Fri Dec 21 2007

Keywords: Lyon, Champions League, United, Manchester

Sir Alex Ferguson says Lyon represent the toughest task Manchester United could have been given in the Champions League.

Although Liverpool and Arsenal have been handed more eye-catching ties, with Inter and AC Milan respectively, and Celtic must tackle Barcelona, for United, given their top seeding, a trip to Lyon is about as hard as it could get.

"Lyon have won the French championship for the last seven years, which is incredible given the number of players they have lost over the last few years" - Alex Ferguson

"Maybe it is the hardest of the five we could have got," he said.

"Lyon have won the French championship for the last seven years, which is incredible given the number of players they have lost over the last few years."

And Ferguson knows his side will need to be at their best if they are to make it through.

"It will not be an easy game but hopefully, by the time we get there we will have all our squad available. That is a pre-requisite for the challenge anyway. If I can pick the team I want I think we will have a good chance."

United will head to central France for the first leg on February 20 before entertaining Lyon in the Old Trafford decider on March 4.