Real have more kudos than United now, says Queiroz

Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz says his new club now have more global kudos than Manchester United, where last season he served as number two to Alex Ferguson.

Real have just returned from a four-match Asian tour where they basked in the adulation of fans in China, Japan and Thailand.

And having captured David Beckham from United to add to a squad which already boasts Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos, Queiroz says the Spanish now are the market leaders.

"I think the impact of Real Madrid is much greater," Queiroz told Marca sports daily when asked how he compares his current and former employers.

"The reaction we received in the streets (in Asia) was tremendous."

On how his team will incorporate Beckham the player as opposed to Beckham the commercial icon Queiroz says he believes he will be able to juggle the riches at his disposal, and praised Figo for his willingness to switch flanks allowing the England skipper to play on the right.

"Figo is a great professional with an open mind. He is there to serve the team and not to have the team serve him."

"In my opinion his game will take on a whole new dimension on the left."

Likewise, Queiroz said the team would look to play to Beckham's strengths but also ensure he played for the team rather than as an individual, adding the whole squad liked and respected one another.

"I didn't expect so much harmony between everyone so soon. We've only played four games and the response has been excellent," said Queiroz.

Queiroz said the Asian fans' welcome was way beyond what he had expected in his first taste of being in charge of a side which is now the global benchmark at club level.

"Sometimes it wasn't easy. I'd not be telling the truth if I said otherwise. We were really surprised sometimes as the reality surpassed our expectations."

"We never expected 30 to 40 thousand people to turn up. But the important thing is we dealt with the circumstances calmly and professionally," said Queiroz.

The pressure cooker existence of a Real Madrid coach will become even more evident now he is back home, however, with a tenth European Cup the avowed season goal.

Predecessor Vicente del Bosque's failure to deliver the trophy last season got him the sack after four years in charge - during which time he won the competition twice.