Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United's re-match with Roma will provide the talking point of their Champions League campaign.

Last season's quarter-final tussle between the pair was scarred by violence. United supporters were attacked by fans and police in the Stadio Olimpico, with the hosts fined £31,000 for the behaviour of their supporters, while United were ordered to pay out £14,500 by UEFA.

The trouble overshadowed one of the finest European performances of all-time by Sir Alex Ferguson's men, who thrashed the Serie A outfit 7-1 at Old Trafford after losing the first leg 2-1.

''That will be the talking point after last season,'' said Ferguson.

However, the United boss also has other major challenges to ponder, not least a testing trip to Dynamo Kiev and two encounters with Sporting Lisbon, the club which provided the Red Devils with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani.

''It is a very tight group,'' he added. ''Dynamo Kiev are a good side. We also have two of Sporting Lisbon's former players, so we know a bit about them.''

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry believes there was no easy options in this year's draw.

He insists the quality is evenly spread across each of the groups and has backed his side to continue their fine recent record in the competition.

He said: ''You wouldn't look at any group and say 'We want that one'. They are all much of a muchness. We're capable of beating anyone on our day.

''But we look forward to renewing acquaintances with two Liverpool old boys - Djibril Cisse and Bolo Zenden - at Marseille.''

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon described the Champions League as the Blues' ''elusive competition'' and set his sights on securing the trophy this year.

''The big difference for us this year is we're seeded. We've been in two semi-finals in the last four years and got through the group stages every year,'' he said.

''It's the elusive competition for us really but there's a determination.''

Kenyon added: ''It's not frustrating at all (to have missed out on a place in the final) but there's a huge expectation within Chelsea to get to the next stage.

''We've had our share of semis, so obviously the next stage is to get to the final. This is clearly a big ambition for us.''