Manchester United will face Argentine giants Boca Juniors during the upcoming Audi Cup this week, and Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he had their star player Juan Roman Riquelme watched on numerous occasions during his spell at Villarreal.
Ferguson is looking forward to the preseason tournament, suggesting it will give him a greater understanding as to his team’s progress prior to the season opener in August.
The Old Trafford supremo told The Daily Telegraph: “When Bayern Munich organise a tournament of this significance we expect a great platform for the players.”
“We are in real football now after our time in the Far East.”
“You hope to get your tempo and fitness over there but this is where the proper work starts.”
The Manchester United supremo also spoke enthusiastically about facing Boca Juniors and their talisman midfielder Riquelme.
“I know all about Boca Juniors.”
“If you can't sleep on a Friday night and turn on your television, you will see them at three o'clock in the morning,”
“We played them a few years ago at Old Trafford and it was a very competitive game.”
“We expect the same this time, but we do our homework.”
“Everyone knows about Riquelme after his spell at Villarreal and we watched him many times.”
“We thought him an interesting player, but for some reason, he just passed us by.”