Fergie wants better showing in Europe
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is promising a far more convincing Champions League campaign from his side this season.
After successive exits at the first knock-out stage, Ferguson accepts United have not done themselves justice in recent campaigns.
Having eased their passage into the group stage by completing a 6-0 aggregate triumph over Hungarian minnows Debrecen, United have learned they will face Villarreal and former striker Diego Forlan.
Lille and Benfica will complete the line-up in Group D.
Although Ferguson admitted earlier in the week Gary Neville had a point when he claimed the Premiership was a priority, the Scot is also aware of the need to present a far more formidable and sustained challenge in Europe's top competition.
"The last two years have been disappointing," said Ferguson. "We are better than that and I am sure we will do better this season."
Forlan's return to Old Trafford will be an interesting one. The Uruguay international endured a miserable spell at United before leaving to enjoy great success with Villarreal last season.
The South American finished top scorer in the Primera Liga as his club secured third place
United secretary Ken Ramsden told Sky Sports News: "It will be nice to have him back at Old Trafford. He will get a warm welcome, I am certain of that."
On the rest of the draw, he added: "I think the manager will be pleased. I think we are fairly happy with what we have got.
"We haven't conceded a goal yet and we are all pleased with how it's going."
Meanwhile, Ferguson is desperately hoping Edwin van der Sar will prove to be the answer for United's well-publicised goalkeeping ills and the early signs are encouraging.
There have been times already this season when the Old Trafford outfit have found themselves under pressure but van der Sar, with his vast experience, appears to have a calming influence on the defenders in front of him.
Even at 34, Ferguson might have snapped up a bargain when he secured van der Sar in a £2m deal from Fulham this summer, adding to the list of previous European Cup winners in the United camp because of his 1995 triumph over AC Milan with Ajax.
"As well as his quality, he brings experience and personality," said Ferguson. "I should have signed him to replace Peter Schmeichel in 1999 but left it too late.
"The depth of his experience is emphasised by a chat I had with him in Japan during our pre-season tour when he told me he had played in the World Club Championship in Tokyo four years before we did.
"He has a calming influence which has helped our back four immensely."
The loss of Gary Neville for key Premiership fixtures against Newcastle, Manchester City and Liverpool, plus the first two Champions League fixtures, is undoubtedly a massive blow to Ferguson.
He does have other options. Wes Brown has usually filled in when Neville has been missing before, while 20-year-old academy graduate Phil Bardsley impressed on his European debut.
Ferguson could also call on John O'Shea, who has recovered from the calf injury which prevented him from boarding the flight to Budapest but seems unlikely to get his place back for Sunday's trip to St James' Park given Gabriel Heinze's two-goal salvo.
Heinze will be expected to contribute a few more goals over the next nine months as United look to drastically increase their output from set pieces. But it is in defence where the Argentina international's talents really lie.
Van der Sar, meanwhile, is looking to continue his own impeccable record by inflicting more misery on Graeme Souness' Magpies.
"I am really looking forward to playing in the Champions League again," said the former Juventus star. "I haven't been involved for four seasons, so it will be a thrill to hear the music.
"But I don't think we should look too far ahead. We have one more game before the international break.
"Chelsea won again last night, so it is important for us to win at Newcastle to keep up with them."
