From MEN:
‘I read that Sir Alex reckons things were worse in the 1997-98 season, well they didn't win anything that year and the way things are going it looks as if it could be a pretty bleak time again. But they could still turn it around.
They are nine points behind Arsenal and have to play them and Liverpool twice, but if current form is anything to go by you certainly would not put your mortgage on them taking maximum points from those games - and definitely not before they get everybody back.
This week's game is going to be crucial and even though most experts would consider Basle to be the weakest side in United's group, they have teeth and have shown they can bite. Remember that coming up after Basle there is the little matter of Deportivo La Coruna and Italian giants Juventus!
This really is where the going gets tough and why I feel United's whole season could hang on the result of Tuesday's game. If they can get into the New Year undefeated, I would say things were on the turn.’
And Ferguson agrees with that:
"Basel have a lot of quality, especially in midfield. It's a lively stadium and they will have the cow bells going alright - they will make a hell of a racket. But I hope our experience in Europe helps us because it should do. I could always do with a stronger squad and as long as I don't have any mishaps against Newcastle I'm confident we can find a system of play that helps us in Switzerland. It gets tough in Europe from now on - we are all in tough groups and there are some bloody hard games there. It won't be easy for any of the English teams but we have good European experience. But I'm looking forward to Basel it's not a bad game for us to have and it would be a good thing for us to get off to a good start."