Champions League may open up

Platini, who won a tough contest against incumbent Lennart Johansson, will present proposals in April which from 2009-10 would limit the number of clubs in Europe's elite competition to three from any one country. England, Spain and Italy have four clubs qualifying at present.

Signalling his support for the existing format, Ferguson said: "It is a fantastic tournament. You are playing all the best teams. I don't really think there is really a lot needed to be done to it."

As from switching from four to three teams, he said: "The only way they can do that is to reduce the competition or involve other countries having one or two teams in. The way it is at the moment, with the top countries getting the top teams in, is a fantastic prospect every year.

"You think you can get one of the Italian or Spanish giants and from their perspective they can get one of the English giants. You are playing all the best teams.

"In fairness, sometimes you can get groups which are not particularly great and therefore it really starts in February. But the way it is at the moment is okay."

The Football Association and Premier League are also expected to go to work to try and persuade Platini to maintain the status quo. Platini will have a battle to win over the members of the UEFA executive committee, who indicated yesterday they had little favour with that idea.

Platini cannot dictate UEFA policy, nor can he implement any changes unilaterally.

Platini said: "The new format of the Champions League is for 2009. I talked about finding a better equilibrium for the number of clubs and that's for 2009-10. The final decision will be [by UEFA's executive committee] in April so we have a few months still to see which way we will go, but I would like a better equilibrium."

Many of Platini's backers among the smaller European countries will certainly expect him to pursue that course.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick would not comment on the Champions League plans, saying today was just for wishing Platini well and recognising the legacy of Johansson's 17 years in office including the "special event" that the tournament has become.

Barwick said: "Michel has been in the post moments and there are lots of conversations to be had going forward.

This day is about Michel Platini being successful, for which we congratulate him, and to thank Lennart Johansson who has done a fantastic job."

Platini, 51, becomes the most powerful man in European football after he was elected by 27 votes to 23. He will serve as UEFA president for the next four years and will also replace 77-year-old Johansson as a FIFA vice-president. Platini immediately invited Johansson to become an honorary president of UEFA.

The former France captain and coach said: "This is just the beginning of an adventure. I'm happy to be able to represent European football, I'm very moved and very happy.

This is a great victory for me . . . now the work starts."

The election victory followed a tense election campaign which descended into bitterness in the days leading up to the vote.

In his final address to the 52 UEFA member associations, Johansson launched an angry attack on FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who had publicly backed Platini at the opening of the Congress on Thursday.

Johansson said: "I appreciate the FIFA president's words about what we have achieved in the 17 years of my presidency but I cannot appreciate it when the FIFA president interferes in an election process here in UEFA."

Johansson had appealed for support, saying: "You should never change a winning team and I think I have been the coach of a winning team."

Blatter welcomed the win for Platini, who worked as his special adviser between 1998 and 2002. He said: "The result is no surprise to me. I'm happy I will be working with someone who has the same vision for football as I do."

Platini is to move to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, to take a more hands-on role than Johansson.

Michel Platini

1955: Born 21 June in Joeuf, Lorraine, in east of France.

1973: Signs for AS Nancy, aged 18.

1979: Moves to St Etienne where he wins title in 1981.

1982: Signs for Juventus after helping France to the World Cup semi-finals.

1983: Is named European footballer of the year.

1984: Finest hour as he captains France to the European Championship title on home soil, scoring nine goals in five games in the process. Wins European footballer of the year for the second time

1985: Completes a hat-trick of Ballon d'Or titles; Scores winner as Juventus win European Cup on a night marred by Heysel tragedy.

1986: France reach last four of the World Cup again.

1987: Retires having won 72 caps (49 as captain) and scoring a record 41 goals.

1988: Becomes national coach of France. Team fails to reach 1990 World Cup, finishing behind Scotland in qualifying group.

1992: Guides France to European Championships but eliminated in the first round without a win. Quits to become vice-chairman of 1998 World Cup organising committee for France.

1998: Becomes adviser to FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

2002: Becomes a member of UEFA's and FIFA's executive committees and takes on vice-president role with French federation.

2007: Wins UEFA presidential election in Dusseldorf, beating incumbent Lennart Johansson.