Ferguson likes United´s chances

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his side are on track to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his side are on track to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.

The English Premier League leaders played out a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

United took the lead through Danny Welbeck before Cristiano Ronaldo’s header levelled the match on the half-hour.

Ferguson said the tie was still in the balance, but believes a place in the last eight is well within reach for United.

“It’s very open. I think we’ll score at Old Trafford. We know they are going to be a tremendous counter-attacking team,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.

“I’ve seen that when they played Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, in the first half, they dominated the game. We have got a big task on our hands, but it is definitely within our grasp.”

While Fabio Coentrao struck the post for Real, United also had their chances, with Robin van Persie hitting the crossbar in the second half.

United goalkeeper David de Gea put in a strong display and Ferguson was full of praise for the Spanish shot-stopper.

“I think, all in all, we created a lot of chances in the match. We’ve played some good, attacking football at times but not got the possession that we should have had,” Ferguson said.

“I think Real won possession without question. They are at home, it is a difficult place to come to but I have got to be pleased that the players dug in and got a result to take back to Old Trafford with a great chance.

“I think there were a lot of incidents in the match, a lot of chances at both ends. David de Gea has had two or three great saves but we have missed two or three great chances ourselves.

“The goalkeeper has made a great save in the last minute and a fantastic save from Van Persie, which hit the bar. So there were a lot of incidents that made it a really interesting game.”