With a Champions League Last 16 place already secured for the Reds, Sir Alex Ferguson says there is much less pressure on his injury-hit squad and the young players drafted in as cover.
United take on Wolfsburg in the Volkswagen Arena on Tuesday night with Group B’s top spot up for grabs, but Sir Alex says he cannot see a clear advantage in finishing first and so has turned his attentions to preserving his side for the busy Christmas league programme.
“Wolfsburg will be delighted that we have so many injuries because it’s a big game for them,” the boss in Germany on Monday. “My main concern is getting players back from injury. I have to look at the bigger picture and that means looking to Saturday [against Aston Villa] and future league games.”
It goes without saying that the United players will be doing their utmost to win in Germany, but the quality and unpredictably of this year’s European tournament means that finishing second is much less of a stumbling block than it might be in other years.
“We’ve qualified for the Last 16, and looking at the groups I’m not sure whether first or second really matters,” said the boss. “So that is a major boost to us. If we are second, I don’t know if it does matter.
“In one group you’ve potentially got AC Milan or Real Madrid, in another you’ve got Barcelona, Inter Milan and Rubin Kazan, another you have Fiorentina and Lyon, or Bordeaux, Bayern and Juventus. You get one of those teams and it doesn’t really matter. They’re all of a similar quality - very good teams.
“The only advantage you’re giving away by finishing second is playing the home game first in the knockout round.”
“The only advantage you’re giving away by finishing second is playing the home game first in the knockout round.” -- this one is should be.
Yeah yeah! they have to make this one happen! Any updates? Nah I will just see the result on my friends sportsbook.. hehehe ibcbet.