NO EXCUSES

Last updated : 10 August 2004 By editor
We'll will just blame Forlan anyway.

United will limp into the Romanian capital without nine senior members of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad knowing they must avoid an upset that would threaten their participation in the group stages of a competition that is vital both financially and professionally.

Giggs

'Obviously, we would prefer to go into a new season with a clean slate but that wasn't to be, Injuries are part and parcel of football and we have still have a squad capable of going out on Wednesday and winning the game.”

'If we don't approach the tie in the right way, we could come unstuck but we will prepare properly and look to do well. We are not used to having such a massive match so early in the season.”

'It is going to be difficult but we definitely have the players and team to do it.'
 
He has also been impressed with Smith
'He has had a good pre-season, in America he was outstanding, and he has carried that into Sunday with a good performance. Obviously as a striker you want to score goals and he has got two now, so that can only help his confidence.'