Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that his team are ready to take on the best in Europe after they swept aside Spurs at the weekend to maintain their eight-point lead at the top of the Premiership. United's 2-0 victory extended their winning run in the league to eight games in a row after an assured display was crowned by a goal in each half for the champions, from Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer respectively.
Despite United's poor performances in the first stage of the Champions League, Ferguson believes that his side's current form is good enough to take them through to the quarter-finals of the competition once again where he would be hoping to improve on last season's defeat to eventual champions Real Madrid.
Looking ahead to Wednesday's game in Austria, Sir Alex said: "We are definitely looking a better team that at the same time last season. We are going into our next European game against Sturm Graz at the right time and in the right form.
"In fact, we could not go into a big game any better prepared. The reason I think we are better is because this side is more experienced."
"The last game in Europe against Panathinaikos was the best quality game we have seen at Old Trafford for some time and I hope we can play as convincingly against Sturm Graz. I see no reason why we can't."
United have had to cope without three of their regular first-choice players over the last month, with long-term injury victim Jaap Stam joined by Andy Cole and Ryan Giggs on the sidelines, but Ferguson is full of praise for the way his squad has handled their absence.
"To have maintained our level without them has been the greatest satisfaction of all.
"We have a great rhythm in our game, we are passing the ball well and we are very hard to knock off it."
United now have the best defensive record in the Premiership, having conceded just 10 goals in 16 games, and Sir Alex recognises the contribution each of his defenders has made so far, especially goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.
"When you bring in a goalkeeper of such distinction you expect things to be different," he said.
"It is hard to find anyone who can match his level of performance.
"At the back, Gary and Wes have been a revelation. As far as Wes is concerned; both he and the club benefited from him taking a full year out following his knee injury.
"Mikael (Silvestre) is coming on all the time. The great thing about him is his attitude and enthusiasm. His work-rate is 100 per cent."
Perhaps the greatest danger for United is that they could become complacent, especially with regard to the Premiership, but the manager insists this is not something that affects his team.
"They all share in the responsibility of making sure there's no complacency," he affirmed.
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