Although Liverpool and Arsenal have been handed more eye-catching ties, with Inter and AC Milan respectively, and Celtic must tackle Barcelona, for United, given their top seeding, a trip to Lyon is about as hard as it could get.

Coached by former Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin, Lyon demolished Rangers at Ibrox to reach the last 16 and Ferguson will need no reminding of how United fell two behind on their last trip to the Stade Gerland in 2004, only for Ruud van Nistelrooy to haul them level with an unexpected brace.

Currently four points clear of Nancy in Le Championnat, Lyon have maintained their dominance of the French game despite the regular loss of key men such as Michael Essien, Eric Abidal and Mahamadou Diarra.

And Ferguson knows his side will need to be at their best if they are to make it through.

"Maybe it is the hardest of the five we could have got," he said.

"Lyon have won the French championship for the last seven years, which is incredible given the number of players they have lost over the last few years.

"It will not be an easy game but hopefully, by the time we get there we will have all our squad available. That is a pre-requisite for the challenge anyway. If I can pick the team I want I think we will have a good chance."

United will head to central France for the first leg on February 20 before entertaining Lyon in the Old Trafford decider on March 4.

Although it is felt playing the second tie on home soil is an advantage, as it was for the Red Devils last season against Lille and AS Roma, Ferguson believes the benefit is negligible given his team's ability to defend a lead on enemy territory.

"You get different experiences," he said.

"Going away from home for a second game having got a lead from the first can be a big advantage.

"The important thing for us is to come back from France with a result then, hopefully, Old Trafford will be at a real good volume to give you that advantage in the home match.

"It is an interesting tie and it will not be easy.

"But you never expect easy games at this stage of the European Cup. Hopefully we can navigate that and move on to bigger things."

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Ferguson will be able to call upon the advice of his old friend Walter Smith after the Rangers boss faced Lyon in the group stages.

Rangers won 3-0 in France but lost by the same scoreline at Ibrox as they dropped into the UEFA Cup.

United club secretary Ken Ramsden said: "I am sure without any doubt that they will talk but Sir Alex knows what Lyon are up to and they will be well watched between now and then.

"I think Lyon were one of the stronger options for us. They are a good team but we like playing good teams."

Marino Faccioli, Lyon sporting director, said: "We are happy to play a big team like United.

"We had a slow start to the season because many players were injured and new to the club.

"They needed some games to make things right and now we are better."

The second leg at Old Trafford on March 4 or 5 will see Lyon boss Alain Perrin return to England after his unhappy spell in charge at Portsmouth in 2005 which was beset by language problems.

Faccioli said: "Alain told me it was very difficult for him in England but in France he won the cup with Sochaux and he has every chance to be a success at Lyon."