Rio bullish ahead of Barca test

United have seen off the best of Italy and France in this season’s Champions League – and Rio Ferdinand is confident of doing the same to Barcelona in the semi-finals.

The Reds defender is far from fazed by the Catalan giants’ wealth of attacking talent and even questioned their tag as the competition’s best team.

“We are confident, definitely,” he told ManUtd.com. “People talk about them being the best side in the tournament but I don’t know.

“We have already beaten Roma and Lyon, the best sides in Italy and France. Barcelona, if you look at the league table, aren’t the best team in Spain and weren’t last season either.

“We know we’re playing a top side. People talk about ‘acid tests’ but I think each game is an acid test. Barcelona have great prestige and history, but whether they’re the best team around at the moment, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Ferdinand is excited by the prospect of Wednesday’s first leg at the Nou Camp, and is seeking a defensive performance similar to that which the Reds produced in the Stadio Olimpico at the start of the month.

The 29-year-old added: “I hope we defend as a team and are compact because if we are open, they have the players to punish us. So, fingers crossed, we’ll be a tight unit and will be able to hit them on the counter-attack like we did in Rome.

“I’m looking forward to the game and the occasion – the Nou Camp is a prestigious arena with great traditions. The players on show are all illustrious names and talented footballers, so to be able to come up against them is a fantastic opportunity.”

Ferdinand was speaking at the launch of United's National Curriculum Education Programme at Old Trafford.