( CNN ) -- Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has hailed the Champions League as the best football tournament on the planet , describing the World Cup as worse than a trip to the dentist . The Scot was replying to suggestions that Europe 's top club competition was losing its appeal ahead of the English side 's 3-0 win away to Turkish champions Bursaspor on Tuesday night . Critics of the UEFA-run event claim that there are too many meaningless games and mismatches in the group stage , with the real excitement not starting until the second round when two-leg knockout ties begin . `` The important thing is the Champions League has proved itself since its inception , '' two-time tournament winner Ferguson told reporters ahead of United 's match against a side who have lost all four group games so far . `` It is better than the World Cup . It is unbelievable . There are some fantastic games . Yes , you have to get through the group stages before you get to the really exciting stage , but it is a fantastic tournament . `` If you look at the great teams in the European Cup now and think of the Premier League , you are not going to get the same crowd for Arsenal playing a lower team in the league , or the same tension and drama as you would Arsenal against Manchester United . `` It is the same in the Champions League . Inter Milan playing one of the smaller teams will not get the same crowd . '' Champions Inter tumble at Tottenham . Ferguson was less complimentary about FIFA 's World Cup , with the last staging in South Africa this year featuring several dull , poor-quality matches before finally taking off in the knockout stages . `` Have you seen the last six World Cups ? It is better going to the dentist , I suppose , '' quipped the 68-year-old , who coached Scotland at the 1986 tournament in Mexico . United cruised to victory in the northwestern city of Bursa , despite resting several regular players , as goals from Darren Fletcher , young Frenchman Gabriel Obertan and Champions League debutant put the 2008 champions three points clear of Valencia in Group C. The Spanish club won 3-0 at home to Scottish champions Rangers . Wednesday night 's highlight will be the clash between Group G leaders Real Madrid and AC Milan in Italy . The Spanish side , who have won the European title a record nine times , will be seeking to become the first club to score 700 goals in the competition , needing one more to reach that milestone . Coach Jose Mourinho has left France midfielder Lassana Diarra out of his 21-man squad , but young Spanish defender David Mateos returns . Milan trail Real by five points after losing 2-0 in the Bernabeu two weeks ago , and come into the match following Saturday 's 3-1 defeat by Italian Serie A rivals Juventus . `` We 're going to be more careful tomorrow , '' coach Massimiliano Allegri told reporters on Tuesday . `` In Madrid we started the game a bit frightened and made a lot of mistakes . We must n't play like that again . `` Milan traditionally look to win by playing a good brand of football . We 'll have to take to the field light-hearted and aware of our strength and technical quality . A united group ready to defend can allow its strikers to be decisive . ''
Alex Ferguson defends Champions League from accusations competition has lost appeal . Manchester United manager says European tournament is better than the World Cup . Veteran Scotsman describes World Cup as being worse than a trip to the dentist . Real Madrid seeking to become first club to score 700 goals in top European tournament .