Ferguson backs English sides

Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that the English domination of the Champions League is not on the slide, and that this season Man Utd and their rivals will continue to successfully dominate in the tournament.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been dominant in the European showpiece over the past five years, and Ferguson believes the same trend will continue in 2009/2010.

"The English teams will be involved in the semi-finals again," he said.

"They have been very dominant in the tournament for the last six or seven years. That is shown by the evidence of the latter stages and I think it will be the same this year.

"Obviously Barcelona are one of the favourites. You cannot dismiss them.

"But there is no question in my mind that the English teams will compete for the trophy."