Sir Alex Ferguson still insists the Champions League is the best tournament in the world and today likened the World Cup to a trip to the dentist. Europe's biggest domestic club competition has had its detractors in recent times. Some critics believe the new qualification rules, instigated by UEFA president Michel Platini to get a wider representation across the continent as a whole, have made the group phase less competitive. Even though United started this season's competition with a home draw against Rangers, they could virtually book their knock-out phase berth with two games to spare should results fall their way tomorrow. Chelsea and Arsenal are even better placed in their groups and with crowds dropping at some grounds - though not Old Trafford it has to be noted - there has been speculation about a revamp. But Ferguson is not concerned. While the Scot accepts occasions like tomorrow's against Bursaspor may not live in the memory quite as long as United's recent meetings against giants from Spain, Italy and Germany, he views it as a natural consequence of any top-level competition. And, compared with the drab fare served up in South Africa this summer, he has no doubt which tournament he would prefer to be involved with. "Have you seen the last six World Cups? It is better going to the dentist I suppose," he said. "It is a natural thing. If you look at the great teams in the European Cup now and think of the Premier League, you are not going to get the same crowd for Arsenal playing a lower team in the league, or the same tension and drama as you would Arsenal against Manchester United. "It is the same in the Champions League. Inter Milan playing one of the smaller teams will not get the same crowd. "The important thing is the Champions League has proved itself since its inception. "It is better than the World Cup. It is unbelievable. There are some fantastic games. "Yes, you have to get through the group stages before you get to the really exciting stage but it is a fantastic tournament." Certainly there is an acute sense of anticipation in this part of Turkey, Bursaspor getting their biggest prize for ousting Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbahce as the usual champions of this football-mad nation. Without a point from three games so far, Bursaspor will tackle a United team lacking eight members of Ferguson's first-team squad, including Rio Ferdinand. The England skipper used his own Twitter page to reject the notion that he has suffered from a recurrence of his long-standing back problems, with Ferguson claiming it was a decision purely to rest the 31-year-old, made easier by the form of Chris Smalling, who has taken no time to settle into Old Trafford life. "Rio has come on very well in the last few weeks but the form of Chris Smalling makes it very easy for me in that respect," said Ferguson. "Some players come to Old Trafford and take time but fortunately for the lad he has taken to it very quickly. "He has adapted. He is receptive to training. He is intelligent. He has the physical part, is tall and quick and a good passer of the ball. "The stage we are at with him is to give him as much experience as we can." Matches in Turkey are a unique experience and the atmosphere should be far more intense that it was at Old Trafford a fortnight ago when a Bursaspor team of limited quality never came close to equalising Nani's early strike. Even for United, it is tempting to look ahead to next week's mighty clash with Manchester City at Eastlands, which could really turn up the heat on Roberto Mancini. On a day when the Blues are circling their wagons amid claims of dressing room unrest, there was not much good news emanating from the other half of the city, where Ferguson declared Ryan Giggs a possible to be involved after a hamstring injury and confirmed Wayne Rooney, who has made just one substitutes appearance in seven games, is now back in light training following his much-publicised ankle complaint. "Ryan started training last Thursday," confirmed Ferguson. "It was just general stuff with the physios. He should be ready in 10 to 14 days but it is possible he could be ready for the derby. "Wayne did a bit of running yesterday for the first time. "I was quite surprised and he is keen to get back. But we are monitoring the situation with the lad. "He is just jogging and not doing much but when players can start jogging it gives you better circulation than just being in the gym. "But I still think it will be three weeks." u00a0

Sir Alex Ferguson still insists the Champions League is the best tournament in the world and today likened the World Cup to a trip to the dentist.

Ferguson: Champions League is crown we all want

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Ferguson: Champions League is crown we all want

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