United managed to avoid favourites Barcelona in the quarter-final draw and also landed in the other half to Arsenal and Inter Milan.
It means if Bayern Munich can be beaten in the last eight, French opposition will await in the semi-final as Lyon and Bordeaux do battle in an all-Gallic affair.
Unsurprisingly, United's odds to make their third successive final have tumbled dramatically, but Fletcher is not getting carried away.
United's only victory in seven clashes with Bayern came in that never-to-be-forgotten final in 1999 and with Bayern impressively disposed of Fiorentina in the last round, Fletcher is adamant United will treat the German giants with caution.
"You can be too presumptuous and start looking too far ahead," he said. "People can say various things about the draw but the fact is these teams are in this competition because they have beaten big sides along the way.
"You don't get to the quarter or semi-final of the Champions League by being a poor side.
"The warning sides are there. If you go into a tie underestimating a team like Lyon for instance, you will be out."
Behind Barcelona, Fletcher rates Bayern the equal of any team in the competition.
It did not appear that way midway through the group phase, when Bayern had collected just four points from four games.
But they hammered Juventus in Turin to reach the last 16 and one-time United target Arjen Robben scored a stunning goal in Florence as Bayern beat Fiorentina on away goals in the last round.
With Franck Ribery in his squad as well, Louis van Gaal has plenty of pace with which to attack United from the flanks, while Marc van Bommel and Phillipp Lahm provide experience in midfield, even if German international Bastian Schweinsteiger will be suspended for the first leg at the Allianz Arena on March 30.
"It is a tough draw," Fletcher added. "Outside of Barcelona it is probably as tough as you could have got.
"We played them in pre-season and we were very impressed with them under Louis van Gaal.
"Since Christmas they have hit a bit of form. They have understood the way Louis van Gaal wants them to play.
"In Robben and Ribery they have two of the best wingers in world football and are definitely a real danger in the tournament."
What do you think? Have your say.
Tweet
Showing comments 1 to 11 and replies | View All
seasider, blackpool (19/03/2010 at 15:54)
Maybe he's just wary by nature. Quite right too.
The Trawler, Stockport (19/03/2010 at 16:07)
United^Fan, Kuwait (19/03/2010 at 16:19)
that will add dearly to united chances
play on the counter attacks with roony valencia, and nani and we should pull it through
Tyler Durden (19/03/2010 at 16:39)
Great Fans Stay To The End..., Manchester (19/03/2010 at 17:32)
Scholes, Valencia, Nani..... Pretty cool.
If we can make some astute signings and clear some space in the squad for younger players to emerge, then we can gradually evolve another team, without having to make a major transition. Arsenal are in that place now. Chelsea, Liverpool and Abu Dhabi United are all heading towards a process of re-invention.
Brora boy, Highlands (19/03/2010 at 22:41)
Doc Savage (20/03/2010 at 00:04)
Simpson must wonder why he is not here at right back? And so do I. all the good work has come to nothing as soon as a big game comes Fergie gets it wrong. He said Macheda is the best finisher so where was he. The whole team virtually was playing out of position.
Well could we expect anything different Valencia should have took a penalty another defeat to a big club because Fergie just does not have the tactical know how
Evans any clown can take a penalty!
- Justin Smith, Wilmslow Cheshire, 31/7/2009 10:32"
Out of curiousity I googled United and Bayern's pre-season game to see who played. Does this comment on a national newspaper thread sound like anyone we know? Lauding Simpson at right-back, the youth of Macheda, Fergie hasn't a clue.... surprised that Tosic and DeLaet were not mentioned, though.
Justin, Dimslow,
Where are you?
outstation, perth, australia (20/03/2010 at 01:08)
Sparky, Salford (20/03/2010 at 11:00)
ribery's ankle, Amsterdam (20/03/2010 at 14:20)
Look at how this season has gone so far!!!
We take an AGE to get into our play, often pretty patterns (a la arsce!!!..) and at h-t it's 0-0!!! It's a common pattern and one which both he's aware of and Reds too!!
We 'should'beat Bayer!!, BUT as we've seen it's - WHICH United turn up!!
We gave Milan a sniff - stupid (typically) enough!! That is until we are stung out of our sleepiness and play our football!!
We should respect Bayer and be aware that they want to progress also!!! (The usual supects can of course do us harm!!)
Let's hope we don't let them get hold of mid-field!!
Aleez les Rouges
Doc Savage (20/03/2010 at 15:58)
Of course he's wary. He is Scottish after all ! "We're doomed........"
The stick Fletch received from the fans in his developmental years and the way he is valued now must be a great example to other lads in the squad.