United Welcome Bayern Test

Manchester United club secretary Ken Ramsden insists the Red Devils are delighted with Friday's UEFA Champions League draw which has seen them pitted against Bayern Munich.

All eyes were on Nyon as the route to the European Cup final was decided and the draw 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 form 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 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.

The draw could also come as a timely boost for United midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who played 45 minutes for the reserves on Thursday.

And Ramsden believes the former Bayern performer, who is looking to return to first team action after an 18 month lay-off through tendinitis in both knees, will be keen to return to his former club regardless of his fitness.

"I'm sure he will want to be in Munich whether he's playing or not," he added.