Sir Alex plans to avoid Euro horror show

December 15, 2006

SIR Alex Ferguson is confident there will be no repeat of Manchester United's Champions League horror show against Lille next spring.

The Reds got the draw all eight group stages winners wanted when his side were paired with the French minnows in the last 16.

Widely acknowledged to be the weakest team remaining in the competition, Lille should offer Ferguson's men the best chance possible of ending a miserable run which has seen them claim victory in just one knockout tie in the competition - against Deportivo La Coruna in 2002 - since they won it in Barcelona eight seasons ago.

However, no-one at Old Trafford will need any reminding United failed to beat Lille in two group stages tussles last term, following up a goalless draw on home soil with a shocking defeat at the Stade de France a fortnight later.

"We had a bad experience last year but this is a different United team," Ferguson said.

"It is an emerging team, which is getting better all the time. We know it will be a difficult tie but we have improved so much from last season."

Opted

United will not head back to Paris again as Lille have opted to play all their Champions League matches at the 41,000-capacity Stade Felix-Bollaert in Lens this term.

The relatively short journey to northern France should go down well with Ferguson too, especially as the Premiership leaders have a Saturday lunchtime trip to Fulham immediately after the away leg.

However, the Scot knows it will take more than one victory over Lille to re-establish his side among the European elite once more.

Successive last 16 exits, followed by the abysmal group stage departure 12 months ago has robbed United of what had been a formidable European record over the previous decade.

"In a way, it didn't really matter who we got. The important thing is that we are there," said Ferguson.

"Our European record over the last few years has not done us any good.

"This club has had some great European challenges over the years and some terrific journeys. We have played in semi-finals and quarter-finals and a final.

"The current team is young enough to do this for years now but we have to prove we can get to that level again. That is the direction this club should be taking."

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Shanny, Hyde, Cheshire (15/12/2006 at 16:05)

Lille are not the weakest team left in the competition, its united. After lille win, fergie should resign, then its sven for united!!!

Sean, Webb-Collins (15/12/2006 at 16:47)

Plsplspls! dnt slip up!

Pepe, in the Red Caribbean... (15/12/2006 at 17:17)

Don't worry , i think the biggest upset will be Celtic dumping out ACMilan . Arsenal,Chelsea,Manutd, will advance. Bayern will not sell Hargreaves,they will face RealMadrid.

SAFs RedKnight, Manchester (15/12/2006 at 17:19)

4 4 2 and none of this Rooney on the left wing nonsense and we will be in the semi finals.

barry, happy valley, ca (15/12/2006 at 17:27)

Lille played terrific against United last season, nice passing
and movement off the ball.
Back then United were a quite
different to the team we see today. Now we have purpose,
Scholes, defense, effectiveness
and the will to win games.
United should steamroller of Lille, then whoever comes next
better be prepared. The Red
Devils are getting better and
better each month. with
returning injured players and
Larson, watch out for greater
competition for places and
even greater effort by all.
Up the Reds

Barry, harrow (15/12/2006 at 17:34)

Its a great chance to get to the quater-finals, and after last season it would be great. At the quater-final stage anything is possible. If we strengthen well in January then we could have the squad to deal with both Europe, and our main priority the Premiership. Lille are a good team and they showed that last season. They have good players like Makoun and Bodmar, who could both strengthen our squad. The main difference this time is that we are a better team than last season. Still I believe we need to get in the right players in January, even if they are cup-tied for Europe. It would allow us to rest player like Rooney, Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs and Saha for European games if we want. Larsson is on his way and it is a good start, but I feel we need a couple more at least. Nani at Sporting Lisbon looks a terrific talent and would be a greta addition.

dazk, clayton (15/12/2006 at 19:16)

lille could'nt have asked for a worser time to play manutd, we are on fire in the premiership and have won our group i hope their in good hiding with a hint of revenge

O (16/12/2006 at 00:32)

Attack Attack Attack!

salford red, salford (16/12/2006 at 03:49)

GO ON FERGIE BRING HOME THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TO GO WITH THE LEAGUE

de Meester, Amsterdamned (16/12/2006 at 14:27)

I don't think it matters toop much who we draw!
I seriously think there's no easy match in the 2nd round if you look at the draw!
Though Celtic might have hoped for a kinder draw!
The ru$$ian$ are a bit lucky as Porto are no where near as good as when Jos¿¿ aka Special' was at the helm!
I think that Olympique Lijlle are far better that last season, which still has a bad feel to me!!
We should do the business at OT - that's ultimately important.
I seem to remember they had a tall midfield and Makoun is a better player now than then!
They are also quite a young side and like us believe in developing their own players.
They will not be easy, and we should treat them with respect!
Up The Reds

Tufty, Runcorn (16/12/2006 at 18:16)

IF WE CAN'T BEAT A TEAM NAMED AFTER A GIRLIE, WE SHOULD ALL GIVE UP & GO HOME. SVEN. SVEN. SVEN

Holton, Dublin (16/12/2006 at 18:58)

No problem provided we play our own game. None of the usual European tactical nonsense. The best European sides dont change their game when they play us. Lets have 2 wingers (not Rooney) and 2 strikers and a very high tempo. We are not an Italian side and never will be.

seamus, vanisle ex-stretford (17/12/2006 at 00:20)

Fergie, it's all about number crunching really...4-4-2, and 4-5-1. Answer is obvious to us all, except you apparently.

Daz, Bedford (17/12/2006 at 10:10)

Hello to fellow Reds! Come across this site and fell in love! I look back at the Lille game at OT and seem to remember that they were a very strong team dishing out a few elbows to Ruud in the air and generally rough in the tackle. I think that our team plays more on the deck this year and if Carrick & Scholes spray the ball to the wings and with Rooney and Saha's extra movement it will be a much better performance. Vidic makes a big difference on Silvestre at the back too. Would be more happy with the league title if I could choose but if we could prevent Chelski from winning CL too that would be unbelievable.

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