OLE Gunnar Solskjaer is confident the wave of optimism at Manchester United will carry them into the Champions League knockout phase this week.
The Red Devils warmed up for Wednesday's make-or-break tussle with Benfica in the best manner possible by extending their lead over Chelsea at the Premiership summit to six points this weekend.
Although their win at Middlesbrough was marred by the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's part in the penalty award that saw United take the lead, it could not diffuse the growing belief inside Old Trafford that league title glory can be secured at Chelsea's expense next May.
But for the moment, all thoughts of domestic combat have to be put to one side as the Red Devils look for the point required to see them into the next stage.
It was a task which proved beyond them against the same opponents 12 months ago. On that occasion though, the Red Devils were just getting over the stunning departure of Roy Keane and appeared to be a club in turmoil.
This time around, with home advantage as well, Solskjaer insists United could not be going into the game in any better frame of mind.
Bouncing
"The whole place is bouncing," he said.
"We have seen it from the first day of the season when we beat Fulham 5-1. It has been like a wave carrying us since then.
"There are no crisis meetings or anything. Everyone comes in the next day very happy because we are doing so well."
Sir Alex Ferguson expects to have Solskjaer on the bench at Old Trafford following the Norwegian's return to training after a recent hamstring injury.
With six goals to his credit already this term, including the winner against Celtic in the opening match of United's Group F campaign, the 33-year-old has proved none of the old spark has been lost despite an horrendous run of knee problems over the previous three years.
Solskjaer's experience could be vital too, especially if Benfica - who need a win to advance at their opponents' expense - succeed in holding United into the latter stages.
Impact
For all their impressive Premiership form, a second successive group stage exit does not bear thinking about. Apart from the obvious financial impact, it would almost certainly cost the Red Devils a top seed ranking for next season's competition.
Yet, despite the failure to grab the point against either FC Copenhagen or Celtic in their past two matches which would have sealed qualification, there is no sense of anxiety in the United camp.
"This week is massive for us," said Solskjaer.
"Every game is a big one for United but to get through in Europe is especially important when you remember what happened last year.
"We can't wait for the game. We just want it to come so we can have the chance to put right what went wrong last year."
Ferguson has already declared his belief victory will be gained from the platform of defensive solidity.
The goal United conceded at Middlesbrough was only the eighth they have given away in the Premiership all season and Solskjaer admits there has been a big improvement in that area over the past 12 months.
"The defence is as good as it has been for several years," he said.
"We are defending very well and we are really difficult to play against. That is the foundation for any good team.
"Teams don't fancy playing against you because they know they are not going to create many chance and long may that continue."
What is the secret to United's improved form this season? Have your say.
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The secret to United's improved form this season? The return of Scholes and Heinze to full fitness, the addition of Carrick, Roo and Ron being one year older, and Vidic settling in might have all helped a wee bit!! Funny enough, the results were really good in the second half of last season too - where we've really improved this season is in the level of performance. Effective and entertaining, the United formula.
United will lose convincingly and then again to MANCHESTER CITY in the derby. United are terrible in the derbies and Manchester City have been terrific in ther last 1 games. City to ruin Uniteds title hopes, Benfica to ruin any chyampions league hopes. Come the blues.
Benfica have the luxury of knowing they have to win.Could be a tricky match.The players seem confident and Giggs,Scholes,Rondo have all had purple patches this season.If UNITED's players all hit form we'll win.If our performance dips we'll be out.Go! Get the job done!
Alias Smith, may i extend on your point.. Our great run of form since the second half of last season coincided with Ruud being dropped to the bench.. Having said that, I would ve preferred if Ruud wasnt sold, if only to offer options to us up front but unfortunately his unprofessional behaviour means it's not possible.. Unknown, so sorry but who the hell are Chelsea? Hmm let's see, United rivals: Liverpool, Leeds, City, Arsenal cz I just hate Arsene Whinger... nope, no Chelsea on the list.. wrong site, mate..
So nothing to do with Louis Saha then Alias? I think Saha is one of the real unsung heroes of our transformation - he is repeatedly forgotten. He's castigated for not being Ruud but never gets lauded for his impact when things go well unless he happens to score at least 2 goals. And to add insult to injury (as it were) his injuries are seen as a sign of personal failure.
Counter-attacking again more effectively...Sahas` pace has been a major factor, plus the fact the team has more confidence in our back line if things break-down...how relieved i am to see the back end of Silvestre in there, he aways seemed like a liability in there..always an accident waiting to happen.
Louis Saha has made a huge difference. He is solid. Ruud was more of a stationary player, less speed, but still amazing. Rooney and Ronny one year older for sure. Scholes and Giggs still top class and Carrick, welcome addition. Add to that the best defence in the Premiership. First 11 is as good as any team in Europe.
Terrific in their last 1 games, eh? Now that IS a surprise...
haha unkown Chelsea. Learn how to spell first; then come back to us, by the way, we're the team above you, yes 6 points ahead....that means we are better right now.....hope you understand!
Putting unkown as your name showed u are ashamed of what u are saying. currently united are the best team in the premeirship, we have won all the games we lost last season. where as chelsea have failed to beat boro and spurs. they even failed to level on points with us when they had the chance. United are going to beat benfica on wednesday and go on to destroy citeh to stay nine points clear of u lot who off course will be in a lot of presure to beat arsenal and hence you will loose or only leave with a point. Gat dat Mr Unknown?
In my opinion its going to be a very very tough match for United.You cant imagine how nervous I am.This game is so vital that it could turn a great season so far into a bad one. I hope Im totaly wrong with my prediction and they thrash Benfica 3-0.
Glory, glory man utd....,....
CHEATING BY THE OFFICIALS,SIMPLE AS THAT! HOW ON EARTH CAN U LOT ENJOY SUCCESS UNDER SUCH IMMORAL AND OBSCENE TACTICS?
fergie is more fresh than ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What an idiot! Man Utd are much stronger than Chelsea this season ie wins against spurs and boro, plus away games at tough places like blackburn, bolton etc. The win against boro will spur us on against benfica and the lads will be up for the city game. So Chelsea's lack of passion and desire will be overshadowed by Man Utd this season. Do you forget that Chelsea still face Arsenal at the weekend. Thats a tougher fixture than City for us. Enjoy second place this year, and COME ON MACCLESFIELD. Suck on Man Utds superiority Chelski.
Easy this one, all those players who have been underachieving for the last few years are now starting to live up & play to their abilities and at least putting us in with a chance of the league, where as the starts to the last couple of seasons have been very very poor,we came out the blocks the right way this season, long may it continue !!
The secret is in Vidic, Scholes & Carrick, Ronaldo, Rooney & Saha.
And then, Evra, Giggs, Edwin & Rio.
Our first team is good save for the captain (just due to inconsistency through injury).
Idiots like unknown, chelsea
are really going to suffer this season.
But anyway, if you couldn't break Watford down last night, what makes you think you will beat United. Dream on you blues.
loyal to the end look at appearance records you can argue a case for only one of our midfield maestros being on the field at any one time. smith through injury and df hardly featured after february. we won a lot of end of season games with jos in team in midfield but he was not in tandem with either fletcher or smith may i suggest that this was also a significant factor also
Looks like the Arabs will take over Liverpool ,but here Billy Smart has put an offer in to the town hall for the Bitters as he thinks theyy are the best clowns he has seen.
Last 1 gameS? Did you say 1 games & Chyampions league???lol???.oh thanks for that mate haven't had a laugh like that in a while...I tell u what mate if Chelsea win the CHYAMPIONS LEAGUE this year I will accept that Chelsea are the best team in the world on this website. Plus if we are so terrible then how come we are six points clear at the top which btw will be 9 come 6pm Sunday as I am sure arsenal will give you a rite roasting.
Right! This season we are better because Vidic and Evra have settled in and the defence looks solid.Carrick has come into midfield and Scholes is back.(last season midfeild was constantly experimenting) Ronaldo has matured and we've replaced our slower players Keane and Ruud with the more mobile Saha and more creative Carrick. UNITED still have room for improvement.Currently were one of the strongest in the EPL.The addition of Hargreaves would be so good if we could get him,and one other class player would see us back among Europes' best.IM humble opinion.
Again I'm with you Bobby, I don't believe we have improved because of Ruud going or being on the bench [towards the end of last year] because Fletcher was dropped at the same time and our midfield immediately looked more solid than it had all season, even with O'Shea in there! Scholes is back playing the best football I have seen from him in 3 or 4 seasons and IMO is the one making us tick. The defence was decent for the most part last season and has improved again, on top of that you have Ronaldo playing his best football since arriving at the club. Tough game tomorrow night, underestimate Benfica and we are out so as per every game start with our best eleven and make changes if we go a goal or two up.
chris, you think Ruud should still be at the club?
We've improved cos Scholes & Ronaldo have been superb & Vidic has been a rock. And less tinkering generally with the team. I think management is crucial & Alex has woken up this year well he had to.
George the experiment was a complete failure full stop. Alex had one change forced on him by smithies injury in the cup or otherwise me would have had to put up with him in midfield for the rest of last season. He bit the bullet and took fletch out of the firing line in february and he hardly featured for the rest of the season. This left us with only jos playing on a regular basis for the 2nd half of last season. The simple fact of 2 out of 3 of these players not being in the side improved our play by an incredible amount. I am not here bigging up rudd but you have to give the lad credit he scored a lot of goals last season playing in front of the worst engine room in premier league. You only have to look again at this seasons results when our famous twosome have been in the side at the same time just what happens to our standard of play.