Ferguson has won the Champions League twice with the Premier League side.
“Have you seen the last six World Cups? It is better going to the dentist I suppose,” he said.
“It is a natural thing. 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.
“The important thing is the Champions League has proved itself since its inception.
“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.”
