Manchester United's Michael Carrick says Champions League is as tough as ever
Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has hit back at claims the UEFA Champions League has become easier, saying that Europe’s elite club competition is as tough as ever.
The English Premier League giants are unbeaten in the group stage so far, having beaten Bursaspor and Valencia and drawn with Scottish Premier League champions Rangers.
They will again face Turkish champions Bursaspor on Tuesday, 2 November, and manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes victory will be enough to seal progression to the knockout stages.
Should they achieve this feat, United will have ensured qualification with two games to spare and will give more fodder to those who believe that UEFA’s decision to allow more countries to participate has weakened the competition.
However, Carrick does not believe that this is the case. He told reporters that: "The Champions League is not easier than it used to be. In terms of the stature and history of the clubs, it might not be as good, but the games are still tough, especially away
from home.
"People might point to our away record, which is very good, but all those matches have been hard. Travelling to Turkey, for instance, presents you with a long journey and a different type of atmosphere. You are encountering players that you don't see every
week.
'Different challenge to Barcelona and Real Madrid'
"It brings a different challenge to Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. It is something you have to face if you want to continue in the competition."
While sides from Eastern Europe and smaller countries might prove to be an unknown quality, Carrick has insisted that he and his team-mates will be well-prepared for the trip to face Bursaspor.
"We prepare as well as we can and watch them as often as we can. It is new and it is an experience. But whoever we play, we feel as though we have a great chance of winning if we do well. That is what we focus on."
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