Sir Alex Ferguson wants top performance from Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson is demanding United top Group C to ensure an Old Trafford bonus in the last 16.
A curious and complicated scenario in the Reds section means that even victory at home tonight against Benfica would not guarantee the job is done.
Basle visit whipping boys Otelul Galati, who have not won a point yet in their debut Champions League campaign, and a win for the Swiss champions will take the group down to the wire.
With United leading Group C on goal difference from Benfica, a win would not yet be enough but it would take the Reds to the verge of Fergies table-topping goal, leaving them just needing a point when they play Basle on December 7.
Avoiding big-hitters such as European Champions Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the February knockouts is not the main target for the Reds boss.
You hope you do finish top. There are some teams there in the knockout draw youd avoid as thats a little bonus. But that is only one issue, he said.
The most important thing is the second leg is at Old Trafford in the last 16. That is always an advantage.
It has always been our intention to finish top. It has not always been the case.
"We have finished second several times but with the quality of the teams, it doesnt make a great difference. It does make a little difference.
But the main advantage is having the second game at Old Trafford.
It is a big game. It is a game we recognise as a real European game given the history between Benfica and ourselves and the number of great games we have had in the past. It always sticks in your memory bank.
Our last encounter with them in September in Lisbon we drew 1-1 and we did really well. We were good in po! ssession . We deserved the result until the last 15 minutes, when they threatened quite a bit.
This is a really interesting game for both teams. We both want to win so it should make it a really open match. Hopefully we get the result we want.
United fans will be hoping the Reds emerge from the winter Euro break in three months after the group finishes having restored their flair.
The Premier League champions have dug in since the derby mauling at the hands of City to record five wins in all competitions, all achieved with without conceding a goal.
But the adventure and thrills of their early season goal blitz has faded.
However, Fergie insists the Reds are on a roll and believes a glut of injuries knocked them out of their classy stride.
We have won five games in a row. Is that not momentum? he said.
We have played some really good football. We controlled the game in the first half at Swansea. There was never any time when it looked like we were going to lose the match and thats good. When you are away from home and controlling the games you are doing a good job.
We have made some changes in the team since the one that started the season because of injuries. There have been a lot of injuries you dont quite envisage.
Everyone was fresh at the start. We had been through pre-season in the States and it was brilliant with not one injury. Then you are hit with a little list.
It doesnt disrupt us to a great degree but it does unsettle the balance of the team at times. Sometimes we are having to rethink and think about which team to play to win the match, whereas sometimes when the team is in full flow you dont need to worry.
We have had a few issues which we hope we are gradually getting over. Once we get players back in again we will be okay. But the players have addressed the post-derby situation well. The collective thing has been good. < br>We want to keep clean sheets all the time. It is part of the game. It is a team effort. If everyone is working hard off the ball to retain it, it gives you a big advantage.
Our team in the last few weeks have done that. They have all worked really hard in defending the ball. When you get it you hope you produce enough football to win the match.
For Uniteds Portuguese winger Nani, this match is a private derby matter in some ways.
Nani was a product of Sporting Lisbon and the two Portuguese capital sides are bitter rivals.
I have an extra incentive against Benfica because I used to play for Sporting. The games were like United against City, he said.
They were always tough. And I always enjoyed it when we won. I hope tonight we can win again.
I am sure Benfica will play some good football but with a lot of care as well because they are away from home. Their strongest point is the midfield.
If we are able to control the midfield I am sure we have a good chance to get that positive result we want from the game.
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A curious and complicated scenario in the Reds section means that even victory at home tonight against Benfica would not guarantee the job is done.
Basle visit whipping boys Otelul Galati, who have not won a point yet in their debut Champions League campaign, and a win for the Swiss champions will take the group down to the wire.
With United leading Group C on goal difference from Benfica, a win would not yet be enough but it would take the Reds to the verge of Fergies table-topping goal, leaving them just needing a point when they play Basle on December 7.
Avoiding big-hitters such as European Champions Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the February knockouts is not the main target for the Reds boss.
You hope you do finish top. There are some teams there in the knockout draw youd avoid as thats a little bonus. But that is only one issue, he said.
The most important thing is the second leg is at Old Trafford in the last 16. That is always an advantage.
It has always been our intention to finish top. It has not always been the case.
"We have finished second several times but with the quality of the teams, it doesnt make a great difference. It does make a little difference.
But the main advantage is having the second game at Old Trafford.
It is a big game. It is a game we recognise as a real European game given the history between Benfica and ourselves and the number of great games we have had in the past. It always sticks in your memory bank.
Our last encounter with them in September in Lisbon we drew 1-1 and we did really well. We were good in po! ssession . We deserved the result until the last 15 minutes, when they threatened quite a bit.
This is a really interesting game for both teams. We both want to win so it should make it a really open match. Hopefully we get the result we want.
United fans will be hoping the Reds emerge from the winter Euro break in three months after the group finishes having restored their flair.
The Premier League champions have dug in since the derby mauling at the hands of City to record five wins in all competitions, all achieved with without conceding a goal.
But the adventure and thrills of their early season goal blitz has faded.
However, Fergie insists the Reds are on a roll and believes a glut of injuries knocked them out of their classy stride.
We have won five games in a row. Is that not momentum? he said.
We have played some really good football. We controlled the game in the first half at Swansea. There was never any time when it looked like we were going to lose the match and thats good. When you are away from home and controlling the games you are doing a good job.
We have made some changes in the team since the one that started the season because of injuries. There have been a lot of injuries you dont quite envisage.
Everyone was fresh at the start. We had been through pre-season in the States and it was brilliant with not one injury. Then you are hit with a little list.
It doesnt disrupt us to a great degree but it does unsettle the balance of the team at times. Sometimes we are having to rethink and think about which team to play to win the match, whereas sometimes when the team is in full flow you dont need to worry.
We have had a few issues which we hope we are gradually getting over. Once we get players back in again we will be okay. But the players have addressed the post-derby situation well. The collective thing has been good. < br>We want to keep clean sheets all the time. It is part of the game. It is a team effort. If everyone is working hard off the ball to retain it, it gives you a big advantage.
Our team in the last few weeks have done that. They have all worked really hard in defending the ball. When you get it you hope you produce enough football to win the match.
For Uniteds Portuguese winger Nani, this match is a private derby matter in some ways.
Nani was a product of Sporting Lisbon and the two Portuguese capital sides are bitter rivals.
I have an extra incentive against Benfica because I used to play for Sporting. The games were like United against City, he said.
They were always tough. And I always enjoyed it when we won. I hope tonight we can win again.
I am sure Benfica will play some good football but with a lot of care as well because they are away from home. Their strongest point is the midfield.
If we are able to control the midfield I am sure we have a good chance to get that positive result we want from the game.
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