Tuesday, November 22, 2005
We need to win this match - Fergie
Will The Reds Standout!
Ahead of Manchester United's clash with Villarreal on Tuesday night, Alex Ferguson told Eurosport show that his club must win if they are to stay in the hunt for European silverware this season. The manager will be boosted by news that potential club captain Gary Neville could return from injury.
Inside Europe: Ruud breaks duck
Ferguson will be depending on his team's impressive European home record to see off the challenge of Villarreal at Old Trafford, knowing that United may need something extra if they are to do better than the goalless draw they deserved in the opening game between the two clubs.
"Come Tuesday if the fans are the way they were against Chelsea, that'll give us a great advantage over Villarreal," Ferguson told Eurosport last week.
"Our home record in the group stages of European football has been terrific over the years. I'm depending on that. But we do need a performance.
"We do need to win the match," he added.
Ferguson echoed his thoughts of last week at a news conference on Monday.
"I can't think of a more important game for us in Europe over the last few years," Ferguson. "We have to win this game to qualify for the next stage."
And Ferguson realises that United must use the performance against Chelsea two weeks ago, when his side won 1-0 courtesy of a headed Darren Fletcher goal, as the benchmark for future success this season.
"We know we must deliver the kind of performance that beat Chelsea and, given our excellent home record in European football, I'm sure we have a great chance of getting back on track to qualify," he said.
"Lille did not really try to win the game but I think Villarreal will do," Ferguson said. "They have some very good players but if we do our job we will be ok."
"We are not thinking about losing," Ferguson said. "We have the players to win the match."
United's season seems to have been put back on track after a start to the term that was not entirely convincing, and they are currently lying in third place in the Premiership, with a game in hand on Wigan and Chelsea, and still capable of qualifying for the last sixteen of the Champions League.
One of Ferguson's main problems so far this season has been the extent of injuries to several of his more experienced players, a number of whom are now being touted for the captain's armband in the wake of Roy Keane's shock departure.
One of the favourites to take over the captaincy is Gary Neville who is set to make a comeback from injury against Villarreal.
"Gary Neville has trained with the squad," Ferguson said. "I have Wes Brown back now as well, so the defensive situation is improving."
United bounced back in the best way possible from the shock of Roy Keane's departure, winning 3-1 at Charlton on Saturday, and giving hope to fans who believed Keane was still the heart beat of this United team.
Only time will tell if United can cope in the long term without Keane, but it started well at the weekend, and if United can play at the same level on Tuesday, their resurgence can move one step further.
Jude
# posted by Kalmax @ 11:45 AM 
