'United ready to face English rivals'

Manchester United are ready for the possibility of facing one of their English rivals in the Champions League quarter-finals, manager Alex Ferguson said yesterday.

United booked their place in the last eight on Tuesday, along with Arsenal, by overcoming French champions Lyon 1-0 at Old Trafford to complete a 2-1 aggregate victory.

"If Liverpool get through, and I expect Chelsea to go through, then it's a 40 per cent chance of getting one of those (English) teams," Ferguson said before yesterday's kick-offs.

"But I don't think it matters who you play. They are all difficult games. That's why the quarter-finals are full of good teams. We have to wait but the important thing is we are there."

Ferguson said United's failure to take any of a number of late chances following Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half goal had left the tie against Lyon on a knife edge.

"We made it difficult that way, but I think it was a positive performance," he said.

"We defended very well. Apart from a shot from (Abdulkader) Keita that hit a post I don't think they really made a chance."

Ronaldo's goal was his 30th in 30 games this season.

"His goal was well taken. It was not the best goal he has scored this season, but it was one of the most important," Ferguson said.

United equalled Juventus's record of 10 successive home wins in the competition, a run which the Italian club completed in 1997.

"To equal Juventus is a great achievement. I am pleased our home record has persisted and I hope it persists to the end of the season," Ferguson said.

Lyon coach Alain Perrin said Carlos Tevez's late equaliser in the first leg in France had left his side with too much to do as they knew they had to score at Old Trafford to have any chance of progressing.

"When you look at things in the cold light of day it was decided by that goal. It influenced that match as well as this one," said Perrin.

Lyon, who will now focus on domestic success, face title rivals Bordeaux on Sunday as they look to advance towards a seventh successive league championship.

"I will congratulate the players on their performance. But we now have to turn the page on this match and concentrate and get our minds right for Sunday," Perrin said.

"Qualification was an adventure but it's important that the players get their mindset right, not just for the league but also the French Cup."