United drawn to face 'the best side in Europe'

Liverpool meet Bayer Leverkusen in quarter-finals as Sir Alex Ferguson's team tackle Deportivo La Coruña

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Sir Alex Ferguson's dream of an emotional return to his home city of Glasgow for the European Cup final was put in jeopardy yesterday by an unkind draw at Uefa's Swiss headquarters.

After being handed two soft groups to ease into the last eight his Manchester United team were given the quarter-final opponents they feared: Deportivo La Coruña. The Spanish club have beaten both United and Arsenal home and away this season.

"They and Real Madrid are the two strongest sides in the competition," Ferguson said. "Deportivo have proved what a class side they are this season though we were unlucky both times they beat us."

Gary Neville added: "They are probably the best side in Europe right now. Against Arsenal they were fantastic."

While being aware of the threat United pose, Deportivo's coach, Javier Irureta, clearly fears his domestic rivals more.

"I am optimistic that we can qualify." he said. "We know Manchester United well. I think they have reinforcements such as [Diego] Forlan and [Ronny] Johnsen, who did not play last time. Still, I am happy that we have not got another Spanish team as opponents."

Should United survive they are likely to find Liverpool standing between Ferguson and the Glasgow final.

Their quarter-final with Bayer Leverkusen will provide the semi-final opponents for the winners of United's tie and, having already put out Roma, Galatasaray, Borussia Dortmund and Dynamo Kiev, Liverpool start favourites. Bayer may be the Bundesliga leaders but they were thrashed 4-1 by Arsenal last month and only qualified by defeating a disinterested and under-strength Deportivo team.

"We're quite happy with the draw," the club's chief executive, Rick Parry, said, trying not to break into a grin. Gérard Houllier, he said, would probably have taken full control of the dug-out by then. "He'll be difficult to keep away," Parry added.

The Leverkusen managing director, Reiner Calmund, said: "Why should we be nervous? Anything for us now is a bonus. Liverpool are a big club and the Uefa Cup holders but we are a proud club too ­ we got here."

The tie of the round pits the holders, Bayern Munich, with the favourites, Real Madrid, for the third successive season. The pair have the best qualifying records of the last eight and who succeeds will depend on whether Real's attack, which has scored 29 goals in 12 ties, can overcome a Bayern defence which has conceded seven. Bayern, having won five of the six meetings since February 2000, will be optimistic. Real, however, have the added incentive, in their centenary year, of a possible semi-final against Barcelona. The Catalan club were drawn against Panathinaikos.

Before the draw Gerhard Aigner, Uefa's chief executive, called upon the teams for better behaviour and more attractive football. Referring to the brawl which disfigured the recent Roma-Galatasaray tie he said: "This is the unacceptable face of football. We are collectively responsible for the image of our game and we will get what we deserve, positive or negative. Players and coaches have a particular responsibility."

Aigner also admitted some Champions' League games had been poor spectacles. "More goals and more attacking football," was his request to the quarter-finalists.

Manchester United will do their best to oblige. Having successfully let slip the leash against Roma, so might Liverpool.