Sir Alex Ferguson: "Champions League is the ultimate"

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes that the Champions League is the best football tournament in the world, eclipsing even the World Cup.

Generally considered to be the elite competition in club football, Ferguson believes its reputation has now surpassed the major international tournaments.

"The Champions League is the best tournament in the world now, better than the World Cup, better than the European Championships."

Ferguson was talking ahead of United's match against Basel tomorrow night.

The Scot has won the tournament twice in his managerial career, firstly in 1999 and then again in 2008, and has also been a losing finalist on two occasions.