Fergie already checks out
Lille
Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed a spying mission on Manchester United's
UEFA Champions League opponents Lille last weekend. United will
play the French side in the second round of the competition, having
been beaten by Lille in the tournament last year.
Revenge is likely to be in the air at Old Trafford and United
secretary Ken Merrett revealed Ferguson watched Lille against St
Etienne on Sunday. "Strangely enough, he (Ferguson) saw Lille play
against St Etienne and said what a good, strong, athletic side they
were," Merrett told Sky Sports News.
"It's maybe not quite as much relief, as at this stage you are
going to have a tough draw. "We must fancy our chances and we're
playing well, that's the important thing." Merrett believes the
disappointment of 12 months ago will act as a spur against Lille,
particularly given the improvement in United's form.
He added: "It was very disappointing last year. We only drew at Old
Trafford with Lille and didn't do very well when we played away.
"With the team playing well, and the players have improved since
last year, we are more positive."
Lille play their home games away from their own Metropole ground,
but Merrett does not see that as an inconvenience for Claude Puel's
club. He continued: "The thing is they played all of the group
stage away from Lille and still qualified, so it's not made a big
impact on them wherever they play.
"From United's point of view, we've got to get a result against
them away and do the business at Old Trafford, which we didn't do
last time."
