Champions League

The more I watch of this season's Champions League the more I feel there could be a new name on the trophy in May. Admittedly my top two choices, Arsenal and Chelsea, aren't exactly unknown on the big stage, but there are no past winners doing a lot to impress anyone at present.

United were, for the most part, rubbish last night, and showed, as they did in their FA Cup semi against Everton, that their youngsters are not yet good enough for these types of games. Not Foster, not Brown, not Anderson, not Welbeck, not anybody. I'm sure Sir Alex will be well aware of this, but my worry is that some of these boys play for England.

Chelsea look frightening at the moment - there is no better squad in the Champions League and they seem capable of scoring at will. Firm favourites for me, behind a free-flowing Arsenal who, despite a fairly easy group, are utterly destroying everything in their path. Which is a hard habit to break.

But then you have the surprise packages. Bordeaux are showing themselves to be tactically superior to the likes of Bayern and Juventus, and they look like they could go anywhere and score goals. With one of the best young managers in the game, I'd expect them to sneak through against the likes of Madrid who can't get a consistent team out two weeks running. And what price Fiorentina? Probably the most impressive Italian team so far, they have largely senior, experienced squad (Zanetti, Dainelli, Mutu) with quality young players like Jovetic supplying the creativity - could turn a few heads if their home form continues to hold up.

The other one for me is Sevilla, who have my favourite striker in world football, Luis Fabiano, in their ranks. But interestingly, it's their defence that has proven the most powerful force. Jointly with Barca and Real, Sevilla have conceded the fewest goals in the Spanish League. If they can take that kind of record into the knockout stages, whilst keeping their stars fit at the other end, they have as good a chance as anyone. Watch this space for a Man Utd v Madrid final then.