Sir Alex primed for revenge

By Luke Williams

Manchester United FC manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes that his side are in their best form of the season as they prepare for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie against Real Madrid CF at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Daunting task
Back on top of the Premiership after a 15-game unbeaten league run, United are desperate to end a comparative silverware drought having finished last season without a trophy. Even so, to most observers their chance of adding the Champions League to the league crown they are now marginal favourites to win is at best remote given the daunting 3-1 deficit they face.

'The tie is not over'
However, Sir Alex is convinced his side's European hopes are very much alive. "The interest is there for all to see," he said. "It's a difficult one, but then we've had so many difficult challenges in the past. Our form is probably our best of the season - that gives us a chance in any game. The tie is not over."

Dazzling football
Madrid's enviable collection of superstars do not always gel, but they showed what they are capable of when they do in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, causing sports director Jorge Valdano to purr that it was "the most complete performance I have seen this team produce".

Madrid inconsistencies
For all their dominance that night, Madrid remain maddeningly inconsistent, having lost 4-2 against Real Sociedad and drawn 1-1 with FC Barcelona since beating United. However, coach Vicente del Bosque believes that the unique demands of European competition will bring the best out of his players. "If you look at those games [we underperformed in] they were league games," he said. "The immediacy and necessity [of the Champions League] will bring the best out of us."

Significant absentees
Both sides have significant absentees to contend with. Madrid are without forward Raúl González, whom Sir Alex labelled the best player in the world after his two goals in the first leg, due to a sudden occurrence of appendicitis. "It was a surprise to us," said Del Bosque, when asked about his star striker's absence. "But we will continue with the same desire with or without Raúl."

'Settled system'
Del Bosque played down speculation that he may now use Ronaldo as a lone forward in order to reinforce his midfield. "I think we'll maintain a settled system of play," he said. The Madrid coach also refused to hint whether forward Guti, who has scored four times in the competition this season despite often being on the bench, will start.

Scholes suspension
United are still sweating on the fitness of defender John O'Shea and playmaker Juan Sebastián Verón, but goalkeeper Fabien Barthez trained on Tuesday and has been passed fit. The biggest blow to their hopes is the suspension of midfield player Paul Scholes and defender Gary Neville.

Serious damage
Scholes has scored five times in his last three games, and his absence will be as keenly felt in the United ranks as Raúl's is for Madrid - perhaps more so, as Sir Alex hinted. "Scholes is an important player particularly as we're chasing goals. Raul's done his damage [already]." Whether that damage is enough to eject United from the competition only time will tell.