Michael Carrick is glad that United avoided English opposition in the Champions League quarter-finals, but is expecting a tough te…

Michael Carrick is glad that United avoided English opposition in the Champions League quarter-finals, but is expecting a tough test against FC Porto.

The Reds entertain the Dragons - current leaders of the Portuguese league - at Old Trafford on Tuesday 7 April, before travelling to Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday 15 April.

Carrick was pleasantly surprised by the draw after feeling a British match-up for the Reds was on the cards.

"There was always a chance that the English teams would play each other and I think we thought it was our turn," he said.

For the fifth season running Liverpool take on Chelsea, with the winners facing either Barcelona or Bayern Munich, while Arsenal or Villarreal await the victors of United against Porto.

"It’s tough to play another English side because you know each other so well and that’s been proved in the past when Liverpool have played Chelsea," added Carrick.

"When you play in European competitions it’s nice to play a team from another country and in that respect we’re happy with the draw.

"It’s only a good draw if we get through so we’ll have to wait and see what happens. But we’re feeling upbeat about it."

Carrick relishes Euro tie

24TH MAR 2009

Share

LATEST NEWS

ARCHIVE