Ferguson upbeat despite draw

PARIS: Manchester United began its European Champions League title defense with a damp squib on Wednesday as wily Spanish club Villarreal held it 0-0 at Old Trafford, while Arsenal and Celtic also drew.

United similarly failed to batter down the same rivals - nicknamed the "Yellow Submarine" - home and away three seasons ago - and subsequently saw its group hopes embarrassingly sink without trace.

Celtic took a leaf out of United's book as it could only manage another scoreless showing against Danish minnow Aalborg, coached by Scot Bruce Rioch, at Parkhead.