Ferguson calls for volatile atmosphere
442 Staff - Tuesday 15 March 2011, 12:21
Sir Alex Ferguson believes his Manchester United side must show
off its attacking talents in order to overcome Marseille when the two
clubs meet in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at
Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The tie remains delicately poised at 0-0 after both sides played out
a tense stalemate in the Stade Vélodrome. Ferguson favoured caution in
his approach that day, but the United manager insists the Premier
League leaders will take the game to their French opponents this time
around.
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Writing in his column in the pre-match programme, the 69-year-old Scot says: “We will be going for it.
"We have to following the goalless draw in the first leg in
Marseille and I guess the French will be adopting similar tactics as we
both strive to get through the first knockout round to reach the
quarter-finals of the Champions League.
“Happily it suits our style of play because we are an attacking team
and the requirements of the night sit well with our philosophy of the
game. We risk losing a goal but we are playing at Old Trafford and I am
counting on our good record at home to see us through.”
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Ferguson’s confidence in his side’s ability to see off the French
champions is partially borne out of the fact that United have won 17 of
the 20 matches they have played at home this season, and the United
supremo believes the atmosphere created by the Old Trafford faithful
could play a crucial role in continuing that record.
“I was disappointed not to get a key away goal last month in the
Stade Vélodrome, but even though we failed to score I enjoyed the
game,” he says. “The pitch was lively, their fans were terrific and I
liked the atmosphere.
“Now we must show our visitors, as we welcome them to Old Trafford, that our ground can be just as volatile.”
The United manager is also looking for a reaction from his players
to the accusations of Marseille manager Didier Deschamps that the Red
Devils’ current side lacks the ‘fantasy’ of the treble-winning class of
1999.
“I hope also that we can show Deschamps that despite his suggestion
that our present side doesn’t have as much ‘fantasy’ compared with our
team of a few years ago, we are still capable of producing our fair
share of magic,” he says.
“I take his point because the side that captured the unique treble
was something quite special, but don’t underestimate the boys of today.
“At times our football at Old Trafford has been fantastic and
hopefully tonight we will be able to show Didier and his team that we
can still put on the style.”
Read Sir Alex Ferguson's column in full in Tuesday's edition of United Review
ahead of the Red Devils' Champions League tie with Marseille at Old
Trafford, priced at £3 in and around the ground. To subscribe, call
08456 777801 or visit www.themagazineshop.com
By Liam Twomey