Next week looks tricky liao..
MANCHESTER - SIR Alex Ferguson has challenged Manchester United
to keep their Champions League title defence alive by becoming the
first English team to win in Porto.
Ferguson's holders face an uphill struggle to reach the
semi-finals after being held to a 2-2 draw by the Portuguese
champions in Tuesday's last eight first leg clash at Old
Trafford.
Porto's two away goals mean United need to win or earn an
unlikely high-scoring draw at the Dragao Stadium next Wednesday to
stay in the competition. Ferguson admits it is a daunting prospect,
especially given the woeful record of Premier League teams in
Porto.
Arsenal lost 2-0 at the Dragao this season, while United have
failed to return from Porto with a win twice under Ferguson and
Liverpool and Chelsea have also been frustrated there.
'It's a difficult job now because no British team has won in
Porto,' Ferguson said. 'We have to win the game. We've been good at
firsts at this club so this is an occasion when we can be first
again. We have a job to do.'
Ferguson admitted United have only themselves to blame for their
predicament after another careless display scarred by defensive
errors.
After setting a record for consecutive cleansheets earlier this
season, United have conceded 10 goals in four games and suddenly
look vulnerable at the back. Porto exposed them time and again and
could have killed the tie off with better finishing.
'We kept giving the ball away, we were nervous and it took half
an hour to get going. But Porto were always a threat and they never
stopped counter-attacking with numbers,' Ferguson said.
'The second goal was one we couldn't afford to lose. When you
are 2-1 up you have to see the game out. Given the importance of
the game it was a terrible goal to lose. We only have ourselves to
blame.' 'We can't say it was a great goal. It just emphasises the
fragile nature of our defence at the moment. We showed tiredness
because we played against Aston Villa on Sunday. It wasn't the best
preparation for a European tie lets be honest.'
MANCHESTER - SIR Alex Ferguson has challenged Manchester United
to keep their Champions League title defence alive by becoming the
first English team to win in Porto.
Ferguson's holders face an uphill struggle to reach the
semi-finals after being held to a 2-2 draw by the Portuguese
champions in Tuesday's last eight first leg clash at Old
Trafford.
Porto's two away goals mean United need to win or earn an
unlikely high-scoring draw at the Dragao Stadium next Wednesday to
stay in the competition. Ferguson admits it is a daunting prospect,
especially given the woeful record of Premier League teams in
Porto.
Arsenal lost 2-0 at the Dragao this season, while United have
failed to return from Porto with a win twice under Ferguson and
Liverpool and Chelsea have also been frustrated there.
'It's a difficult job now because no British team has won in
Porto,' Ferguson said. 'We have to win the game. We've been good at
firsts at this club so this is an occasion when we can be first
again. We have a job to do.'
Ferguson admitted United have only themselves to blame for their
predicament after another careless display scarred by defensive
errors.
After setting a record for consecutive cleansheets earlier this
season, United have conceded 10 goals in four games and suddenly
look vulnerable at the back. Porto exposed them time and again and
could have killed the tie off with better finishing.
'We kept giving the ball away, we were nervous and it took half
an hour to get going. But Porto were always a threat and they never
stopped counter-attacking with numbers,' Ferguson said.
'The second goal was one we couldn't afford to lose. When you
are 2-1 up you have to see the game out. Given the importance of
the game it was a terrible goal to lose. We only have ourselves to
blame.' 'We can't say it was a great goal. It just emphasises the
fragile nature of our defence at the moment. We showed tiredness
because we played against Aston Villa on Sunday. It wasn't the best
preparation for a European tie lets be honest.'
He gotta juggle the XI for the Everton semi-final too. 
