Boss Relishes Rangers Ties

Sir Alex Ferguson is counting United's blessings and air miles following a favourable group-stage draw in the UEFA Champions League.

The Reds will travel overseas to Spain and Turkey, but stay in Britain for a clash with Scottish champions Rangers, managed by his former assistant, Walter Smith.

The United boss told ManUtd.com: "You can't complain about that, it's a good draw for us. You always look at the travelling side of it and the only one that's of any great distance is the trip to Turkey.

"Walter Smith's already been on the phone, talking about tickets for Old Trafford! Like me, he's really looking forward to our games against each other."

Smith was Sir Alex's right-hand man when the Reds won the FA Cup in 2004 but the connections between the United manager and Rangers don't end there, of course. The boss supported the Ibrox club as a boy and later played for them as a striker.