Fergie content with 'interesting' group

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Last season's quarter-final tussle between the pair was scarred by violence, with fighting marring both legs, which overshadowed one of the club's finest European performances of all-time as they thrashed the Serie A outfit 7-1 at Old Trafford after losing the first leg 2-1.

"That will be the talking point after last season," said Ferguson.

United supporters were attacked by fans and police in the Stadio Olimpico, with the hosts fined £31,000 for the behaviour of their supporters, while United were ordered to pay out £14,500 by UEFA.

However, the United boss also has other major challenges to ponder, not least a testing trip to Dynamo Kiev and two encounters with Sporting Lisbon, the club which provided the Red Devils with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani.

"It is a very tight group," he added. "Dynamo Kiev are a good side. We also have two of Sporting Lisbon's former players, so we know a bit about them."

United's only previous meeting with Sporting came during a European Cup Winners' Cup campaign 44 years ago, when a team containing George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law were hammered 5-0 in the Portuguese capital.

Ferguson will hope to avoid a repeat and has already set his side the task of gaining 10 points to get them on the road to bettering last season's semi-final berth.

"The whole group possesses some very interesting aspects," he said.

"We hope we can get 10 points. It will be difficult but if we can get that I think we will qualify."