Manchester United will take on Bayern Munich, who they famously beat in the final at Camp Nou in 1999. That is the only time United have ever beaten the Bundesliga side. Sir Alex Ferguson will be delighted to have home advantage in the second leg.
Reflecting on the draw, Ferguson said: “The history of playing Bayern in past European ties tells you it’s going to be a very difficult tie for us. It’ll be a fantastic atmosphere in both games. They have a great stadium and good pitch and we’re up against a good, experienced team.
“Hopefully we’ll have everyone we need for the game and we’ve got a good chance.”
Former United striker Dwight Yorke, who played in the final in 1999, told Sky Sports News: “I’m worried about the Germans, over the years they’ve been very difficult to play against.
“They’ve got a very experienced manager in Louis van Gaal, he’s been around the block, he knows how European football is, he knows about English football and will certainly know about Manchester United and Wayne Rooney.”
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge labelled the tie a “tough but attractive draw”, although he admits United will be expected to go through to the last four.
“Manchester are a team who are ranked right at the top,” he said on his club’s website. “We will have to push ourselves to our limits and possibly even beyond to go through. Manchester are the favourites, but that is where the attraction lies: to try to beat a favourite.”
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