SEEDED

Last updated : 13 July 2004 By editor

Manchester United have retained their place among the elite group of top seeds for next season's Champions League despite a shake-up in UEFA's seeding system - but both Chelsea and Liverpool will almost certainly have to settle for being one of the second seeds.

It means that Sir Alex Ferguson can plan for the group stage of the tournament, knowing they will avoid any of the four Spanish sides and reigning champions Porto.

UEFA have changed their co-efficient system this summer to give more weight to an individual club's performances in Europe and less to how all clubs from a particular country have done overall.

The biggest effect has been on Liverpool, who were among the top seeds after qualifying for the 2002-03 Champions League but who fall in the ranking because they have played in Europe's top club competition only twice in the last five years.

United are ranked fourth in Europe behind Spanish trio Real Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona.

Ps this all depends on us winning our qualifying match !