NO OUTSTANDING CONTENDERS

Ferguson on the Champions League's lack of form teams this year.

"At this moment in time there isn't an outstanding side in the tournament. There is nobody you could make a favourite," he said in France ahead of tonight's game against 125-1 outsiders Lille.

"Barcelona have had their troubles in the last few weeks in La Liga. AC Milan had a poor start to the season in Serie A though they are getting a bit of consistency now.

"The only team showing something, whether it is because of AC Milan's poor start and the fact Juventus aren't in Serie A, is Inter.

"They are running away with their league. But it is difficult to judge them. Maybe they are there by default because it is not a real Italian League without Juventus (Juve were relegated after a match-fixing scandal).

"Lyon were doing well in France but have started to have one or two bad results. So nobody has been outstanding domestically. However, I have been encouraged with the confidence and ability we have shown to play top level football in such a competitive league in which we are playing.

"We are doing it with a great goal surge about us. We are well ahead of most teams in the goalscoring department.

"The amount of goals is an area in which we say the Premiership is the best league in Europe. So I am pleased with that.

"So there is good evidence for me to be encouraged and optimistic about this season's progress.

"Europe last season was a poor one for us. The whole campaign was poor.

"Last season we just weren't good enough. We have to get back to the consistency of the previous decade when we consistently got to quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final."