Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson accepts they're second best to Barcelona.
The Champions League finalists will meet this weekend.
The Scot said: "If I thought they'd play all their young players on Saturday then I'd play all mine. It would be a fascinating game.
"Barcelona's performances and feats over the last two or three years have elevated them in everyone's mind. Currently they are the best team in the world.
"It's not just about the football team, it's the philosophy - what they believe in, how they coach, how they produce young players.
"I'm quite happy to be in second place at this moment in time. Our challenge is to get to that level."
