Preview
- Manu vs Lyon
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he regards Manchester United's two
European Cup wins as inadequate given the Old Trafford club's
standing in the world game.
Going right back to his time at Aberdeen, the lure of European
combat has always given Ferguson an added thrill, so it is fitting
his 1000th game in charge of United should be in the Champions
League.
Yet it remains a major source of disappointment that despite
reaching the quarter-finals seven times on the trot from 1997,
United have added to their 1968 triumph under Sir Matt Busby just
once, on that never-to-be-forgotten night in Barcelona six seasons
ago when victory over Bayern Munich saw the club the lift the
prestigious Champions League trophy.
It leaves the Red Devils two titles adrift of Bayern Munich, Ajax
and Liverpool, four behind AC Milan and a massive seven away from
the undisputed European kings Real Madrid.
And that is a statistic Ferguson will devote the remainder of his
career to rectifying.
``Some of the greatest moments I have had here have been European
matches, so to mark my 1000th match as manager with a Champions
League tie is just perfect,'' said Ferguson, who will celebrate his
63rd birthday on New Years' Eve.
``Anyone of my age brought up in Scotland watching European
football will never forget the night back in 1960 when Real Madrid
beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 at Hampden Park.
``After that you have a dream of being in a European Cup and
playing against the great teams.
It's only since the advent of the Champions League that you have
all these teams together in one competition but that has just made
it harder to win.
``Even so, I think it's a fact that in terms of the general history
of our club we should expect to have won it the same number of
times as the likes of Ajax, Bayern and AC Milan.
``I divorce Real Madrid from this scenario purely because the
number of times they have won it is quite exceptional.
``But certainly for the other powers in Europe there is no reason
why we should not be thinking of winning it the same number of
times.''
Victory over Lyon on Tuesday will ensure United's customary
progress into the knock-out phase, while even a draw would do
providing Ferguson's side managed to avoid a four-goal drubbing by
Fenerbahce in their final group outing on December 8.
However, given the significance of the night, the Red Devils will
want to mark the occasion with a performance to remember.
Lyon, meanwhile, are top of Ligue 1 and are unbeaten in the league
with nine wins from their 15 matches so far.
However, Paul Le Guen's team were frustrated on Friday night as
they were unable to break down 10-man Paris St Germain in a
goalless draw at the Parcdes Princes.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed the fixture at Old
Trafford will be a special occasion for Les Gones, who are looking
for their fourth consecutive domestic title.
``It is a dream that will be realised on Tuesday,'' Aulas told
L'Equipe on Monday.
``To play at Old Trafford when you are top of the group and trying
to stay there makes it an immense occasion.
``We feel they are solid, cool under pressure, and know how to
adapt themselves when they are in difficulty. It will be necessary
to show respect because they score a lot of goals at their
place.''
Lyon striker Sidney Govou believes that Lyon have nothing to fear
from their trip. ``They have more experience than us, but we will
go over there without a complex, and knowing that it is possible
(to get something),'' he said.
``You have to approach every game thinking that you can win, and
Manchester United is no different.''
Midfielder Florent Malouda added: ``You have to try not to focus
too much on the opposition. We need to concentrate on the match and
then analyse things afterwards.''
Former Arsenal forward Sylvain Wiltord made his first appearance
since the end of October when he played for 75 minutes at PSG on
Friday. The striker seems to have shaken off a right thigh injury,
and is expected to play a part in Manchester.