Sir Alex Ferguson is quietly confident Manchester
United will claim a place in this season's Champions League
quarter-finals.
United visit Marseille on Wednesday looking to secure a
first-leg lead that they would be confident of defending in the
return clash at Old Trafford three weeks later.
Although there were times when United appeared to struggle
during the group phase, they ended up with 14 points from a
possible 18, their solid defence conceding just once, in their
final match against Valencia.
Even with Rio Ferdinand troubled by a groin injury, Ferguson has
no reason to believe that solidity has diminished given Chris
Smalling's recent performances.
And having seen Marseille's narrow victory over Chelsea at the
same stage, Ferguson feels his side have the edge.
"Their manager, Didier Deschamps, has put together a strong team
- a very big, powerful side," Ferguson told Inside United.
"I watched them play at home against Chelsea in the group stage
and they won 1-0. But Chelsea managed to create quite a few chances
in the match so we hope we can do the same.
"I have been to watch games at Marseille quite a few times and
the atmosphere supporters create at their ground is terrific.
"It won't be easy going over there but I think we have a good
chance of qualifying."
Marseille have certainly undergone a few changes since the
bribery scandal of the early 1990s, which resulted in them being
stripped of the Champions League, which they won in 1993.
They encountered United twice 11 years ago, winning on home soil
after a defeat at Old Trafford in a group from which both clubs
emerged.
However, it was not until last season that the club, which
remains France's most popular, were crowned champions again, under
the careful stewardship of Deschamps.
The former Chelsea star is not the only familiar face to be
facing the Red Devils this week.
Gabriel Heinze spent three seasons at Old Trafford and won
popularity for his no-nonsense defending.
However, Ferguson made some less than complimentary observations
about the Argentinian after an acrimonious departure to Real Madrid
- United refused Heinze's original demand to join Liverpool - while
Mathieu Valbuena is hoping to overcome a knee injury, having scored
in France's victory over England at Wembley in November.
Still, the draw could have been much worse for United, as
Ferguson was reflecting midway through the final group game with
Valencia when his team trailed and appeared to be heading for a
runners-up berth.
"You can see why it is so important to finish top of your
group," said Ferguson.
"When we were down against Valencia, I knew I didn't want that
because we could have faced the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid or
Bayern Munich.
"You would obviously prefer not to face those top sides at this
stage of the competition."
