Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that English clubs are still a major force in Europe.

For the second successive season only two teams from the Premier League have qualified for the Champions League last 16.

"Europe has been disappointing for Premier League teams in the last couple of years," The Sun quotes him as saying.

"Sometimes you get blips but I don't see this happening consistently as I think English teams will always be challenging in the latter stages of the Champions League."

The draw for the first knockout round of the Champions League will be held on Thursday.