Ferguson: World Cups are like a trip to the dentist

As a Scotsman Alex Ferguson has few happy memories of World Cups, indeed, when he managed his country at the 1986 tournament the highlight was a 0-0 draw with Uruguay as the Scots went out in the group stages.

And that may explain why the Manchester United manager has likened the competition to a trip to the dentist.

It could also be that Ferguson is fed up with seeing his players, particularly those who represent England, return from World Cup duty scarred and damaged by the experience.

United's problems with Wayne Rooney, for example, flared up after the tournament in South Africa, where the player reacted badly to being booed by his own fans. What's more, United defender Rio Ferdinand only recently returned from a serious knee injury that he picked up with England in the summer.

Speaking ahead of his side's Champions League's clash with unfancied Turkish side Bursaspor, Ferguson has claimed that the European club competition is superior to the World Cup.

But attendances for the first round games have been down on previous years this season, and there have been claims that the early stages of the competition are too predictable.

When asked if he felt that the group matches were losing their lustre Ferguson said: "It's a natural thing and it's like anything. You won't, for example, get the same crowd or attention or drama if you saw Arsenal against a lower team rather than United in the Premier League. It's the same with AC Milan playing a lesser team in Italy.

"But this is the best tournament for me. It's a fantastic tournament, and it is better than the World Cup in my opinion. Have you seen the last six World Cups? It's like going to the dentist."

United are set to field an under strength team against Bursaspor in Turkey, with Rio Ferdinand left out of the squad and the likes of Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs unfit. However, they will not be overly concerned about their opponents who have yet to score a goal in this year's competition. ·