ALL THE NEWS AND VIEWS

"We are playing well but have to improve our finishing. Maybe it is down to the decision making - passing when there is not a pass on and shooting when there is not a shot on.

"I think we have got players who are recognised goalscorers, not just today or yesterday but for many seasons, and we are just not killing teams off.

"It's ironic when you look at our goalscoring record for the last five or six seasons. We have been top scorers every year but hopefully it will come. I think strikers do tend to depend on confidence.

"All the strikers I have had relied on their confidence. When they are scoring they don't think they can miss and when they are not scoring they don't know where the next goal is coming from.

"They are a species of animal which is different from everyone else. I was a striker myself and experienced periods of my career where I wasn't scoring and I did worry but when I was scoring I was cock-a-hoop."

On tonight's opponents:

"They are a not a bad side. In fact they are a decent team. Their away record is terrific and we have to be fully aware of that. They press the ball and work very hard. We have to match that.

"It won't be an easy game at all. But it is the start of the Champions League programme proper and that brings an air of excitement, enthusiasm and anticipation. European nights can often do something for us at times we know that.

"They play five at the back, another five at the back, but we have to cope with that again and face up to it. I think as long as we keep our nerve then we will be all right.

"It's important though that we get off to a win at Old Trafford.

"We know the drill in Europe. If you win your home games and get one result away from home either a win or a draw then you qualify. I don't change my philosophy and thinking on that part so we need to open with a home win.

"There is definitely an increase in excitement and anticipation after that but there is plenty of quality in the opening rounds as well and the only time you start dreaming about the final is when you reach the semi."

Injury news - Veron:

"Seba will be all right. He has trained and feels okay. He'd been carrying the groin injury a little bit for a couple of weeks. He doesn't say much, he just carries on with things but he felt it against Bolton last midweek."

Butt:

"It's that tender bit right on the hip joint. It's very sore. We are hoping the bruising comes out and if it does then he may have a chance, but he is definitely doubtful."

Gary Neville:

"Gary is much better but I would rather he had a game in the reserves on Thursday at Liverpool."

United's crippling injury list has cut even deeper and it has meant Fergie can't even call on Scottish international Michael Stewart. The reserve went over on his ankle in training last Thursday and United's medical team forecast that he wouldn't be back fit again until next week.

On United's flimsy squad compared to his rivals:

"It's the money they spend that makes it very difficult for us to catch up or match them. When you watch Real these days it comes across that they are not too bothered about their own league and their whole mentality is about winning the European Cup.

"And they are spending the sort of money that is leaving us all gasping. It was Luis Figo one year, Zinedine Zidane the next and this year it is Ronaldo. What can you do against that?"

Hmmm, well you have spent £100m in the last 18 months Alex.