Ferguson will be wary of Bayern Munich threat

Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United will have been pleased by this morning's UEFA Champions League quarter and semi-final draw in Nyon, Switzerland.

The English champions avoided current holders and favourites Barcelona in both the quarter and semi-final stage, drawing Bayern Munich in a repeat of the thrilling 1998/1999 final. Should United progress against the German side they would face the winner of the all-French quarter final between Bordeaux and Lyon, in the semi-final.

On paper, United have drawn the most favourable opponents, and would now be considered likely to reach the showpiece final in Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium. But Bayern are not a side to be underestimated.
After an inconsistent start to this year's Bundesliga campaign, manager Louis van Gaal has got his Bayern side firing. The Germans currently sit atop the league, and overcame Fiorentina to progress to the quarter-final stage. During the course of this tie, Bayern showed incredible resolve, alongside a dangerous attacking threat. Arjen Robben's sensational strike handed van Gaal's side a win on the away goal ruling and Bayern will be buoyed by their record against United. In seven meetings between the two, the English have only a solitary win (that memorable 1999 final)

Memories of that incredible 1999 final will undoubtedly dominate the media focus approaching the fixture, and rightly so.

It is not that the match, itself, was particularly entertaining. It is simply the sheer, unbridled nature of the reversal that makes this match unique. Bayern twice struck the woodwork when one goal up, and would surely have won the trophy had either effort found the goal. But it was not to be, and the late goals from Sheringham and Solskjaer have gone down in Manchester United and Champions League folklore.

But the Bayern fans will remember that night too. The Germans will be keen to turn United over and start the healing process from that fateful night in Barcelona in 1999. Whilst United will be strong favourites to win the tie, and, indeed, progress to the final, Bayern will be as spurred on as United by events from the final 11 years ago.