Fletcher: Manchester is not in final yet!

Darren Fletcher believes Manchester United still have a lot of work to do if they are to win the Champions League, despite a potentially smooth route to the final.

United will play Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the competition after Friday’s draw, with the winner facing either Lyon or Bordeaux in the semi-finals.

Such a favourable draw has seen United installed as the bookies’ favourites to reach the final in Madrid, but Fletcher is not jumping to any conclusions.

“You can be too presumptuous and start looking too far ahead,” Fletcher said, according to the Press Association.

“People can say various things about the draw but the fact is these teams are in this competition because they have beaten big sides along the way.

“You don’t get to the quarter or semi-final of the Champions League by being a poor side.

“The warning sides are there. If you go into a tie underestimating a team like Lyon for instance, you will be out.”

Aside from Barcelona, the team that beat United in last season’s final, Fletcher believes Bayern are as good as any side still in the competition.

And form isn’t on the Red Devil’s side as United have only won once in seven previous clashes against the German giants – the memorable 1999 final.

“It is a tough draw,” Fletcher added.

“Outside of Barcelona it is probably as tough as you could have got.

“We played them in pre-season and we were very impressed with them under Louis van Gaal.

“Since Christmas they have hit a bit of form. They have understood the way Louis van Gaal wants them to play.

“In [Arjen] Robben and [Franck] Ribery they have two of the best wingers in world football and are definitely a real danger in the tournament.”