Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson baulked at questions yesterday over whether he believed his team was the best in Europe.

"The only way to assess it is if we get to the final," he replied. "In football you can be the best team and lose. I've seen it happen time and time again. It's why, for example, we're not in the FA Cup final. Hopefully, by the law of averages, our performances will mean something at the end of the season. But it won't be easy. If we get by this one then we'll face Barcelona, a marvellous football club with a great team."