UEFA Champions League preview: Manchester United versus Valencia
Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United currently occupy the first position in their Group C table with three points more than opponents of the night, Valencia. The Spanish giants have ten points to their name in the UEFA Champions League table and will be
looking to overthrow the Red Devils in the fixture that will be played out on Tuesday night at Old Trafford. Both teams have secured progression into the next knockout round of the competition and the Premier League outfit will be looking to secure top spot
in their Group for one main reason- to avoid facing fixtures with giants such as Barcelona or Real Madrid in the next round-of-sixteen.
Valencia will be looking to dismantle Sir Alex’s men from the summit for different reasons, as they cannot be featured against the fellow Spanish giants for the knockout round. Valencia manager Unai Emery explained his reasons for defeating the Red Devils
at their home ground and climbing to the top. “We want to show to the rest of Europe that we can produce a top performance at a big club. There are so many good teams in this competition. We want to get a result that will make other teams take notice of us
and stand us in good stead for the remainder of the tournament.” Emery spoke of his team’s two aims at the start of the competition for the European elite clubs. He talked about qualification for the next round as being the primary focus of attention (which
the Primer Liga club have already achieved) and the second as topping their Group.
Manchester United will be keen to avoid knockout matches with Real Madrid and particularly Barcelona. Pep Guardiola’s men have clashed with Sir Alex’s squad before in the UEFA Champions League competition, the match being one of particular significance-
the final. Barcelona were the 2009 title winners, through a goal on the 9th minute by (current Inter Milan player) Samuel Eto’o and with Lionel Messi scoring a second on the 70th minute. Manchester United will arguably have greater motivation
to secure all three points at Old Trafford, as they will be keen to not relive their experience of defeat at the hands of Guardiola’s squad.
Barcelona held a convincing demonstration of their prowess against rivals Real Madrid at Camp Nou on 29th November, where they smashed their opponents by five goals to nil. In addition to their on the field performances, three of Guardiola’s squad
members (Messi, Iniesta and Xavi) have been nominated for the FIFA Ballon d’Or, which ensures that the winner will be from Camp Nou. Sir Alex Ferguson spoke of avoiding Barcelona, by explaining "Like everyone else, they have days when they can be beaten but
the sensible approach is to avoid the bigger hitters and we can only do that if we do finish first in our group."
Critics have deemed the Red Devils to triumph over Valencia, as no team in the European competition have scored against Manchester United so far in the competition. Valencia possess the greater goal difference and striker Aritz Aduriz spoke to talkSPORT,
saying "We want to finish first and avoid the best teams in the last 16.
"We know we have to get a victory at Old Trafford and it will be a difficult task, but we feel we have enough quality to achieve that. Valencia have won their last two Champions League fixtures, thrashing Bursaspor six goals to one and scoring three against
Rangers. Sir Alex may play his best starting eleven as Manchester United’s Premier League match over the weekend was postponed due to terrible weather conditions and the Red Devils now have a gap of six days before their next clash with title rivals Arsenal.
Manchester United will look to claim a record of being the only team in eighteen years, to not concede a single goal in any match of the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. Sir Alex has spoken of Michael’s Owen’s inability to play against Valencia
even though he has returned to full time training sessions at Trafford. "We don't want to take any risks." Said the Scotsman, who may not have Jonny Evans and Wes Brown available for selection either.
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