The line-up for the UEFA Champions League last 16 draw is now complete - with seven possible opponents for United.
The Reds could play any of the group stage runners-up apart from CSKA Moscow, who finished second behind Sir Alex Ferguson's men in Group B. The Russians leapfrogged Wolfsburg with a closing 2-1 win at Besiktas.
The seven possibilities include some big guns, notably Bayern Munich and the two Milan clubs, but Sir Alex is confident the thrice European champions can prosper in February's two-legged tie.
“It doesn’t matter who we play at Old Trafford, we always feel we have a chance," said Sir Alex. "And our away record over the last three years has been fantastic, so hopefully that helps us too.
“We'll have to face a big team at some point. Last season we had Inter in the last 16 when they were top of Serie A. You take who you get and you have to trust the quality of your own players and the experience they’ve gathered over the years."
United's opponents in the 1999 final, Bayern Munich, booked their place in the draw with an impressive comeback to beat Juventus 4-1. Last season's quarter-final foes Porto are also through after beating Atletico Madrid this week, while Milan finished their group campaign by drawing 1-1 with FC Zurich.
Internazionale's qualification was only confirmed on Wednesday night when Jose Mourinho's men beat Rubin Kazan 2-0 at the San Siro. The same evening was also important for Bundesliga strugglers Stuttgart; Christian Gross' team are in the hat after beating Unirea Urziceni 3-1.
The other two sides United could face are Olympiakos, following their 1-0 win over a young Arsenal side in Athens, and Lyon, who were pipped to first place in Group E when Fiorentina inflicted a last-gasp defeat on Liverpool at Anfield.
Fiorentina are therefore among the group winners whom United will avoid in the draw, the others being Arsenal, Barcelona, Bordeaux, Chelsea, Sevilla and Real Madrid, for whom Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals against Marseille in midweek, including a trademark spectacular free-kick.