02/03/2013 09:00 - ManUtd.com, G Thompson
Beware the Real break
Sir Alex Ferguson says his players have been working hard to ensure Real Madrid’s counter-attacking “doesn’t kill us” on Tuesday night at Old Trafford.
The Reds host Jose Mourinho’s men in the Champions League last 16 second-leg encounter with the tie finely poised at 1-1.
United hold the slightest of advantages following Danny Welbeck’s away goal at the Bernabeu last month, but after travelling to Spain to see Real destroy Barcelona at the Nou Camp earlier this week, Sir Alex is determined to ensure his squad are fully prepared for everything Ronaldo and co throw at the Reds.
“I was shocked [by Madrid’s performance against Barcelona],” the United manager told reporters on Friday. “I thought they were magnificent I really did. They were absolutely brilliant and won well with Ronaldo, Di Maria and Ozil on the counter-attack.
“But we know that Madrid are one of the best counter-attacking teams in Europe. That is what we will be up against on Tuesday and that is why our preparations are centred around making sure their counter-attack doesn’t kill us.”
The Reds put in a highly impressive and disciplined shift in the first leg in Madrid, but the performance did not surprise Sir Alex who believes his current squad is stronger than the 1999 Treble-winning group.
“We are looking forward to all the big games knowing we have to be at our best as we were in 1999. The big difference is we have a stronger squad now than we did back then,” added Sir Alex.
“The squad is also stronger than last year, if you think about it. We have brought Robin and Kagawa in, plus the younger ones, like Welbeck and Cleverley, have got stronger and improved over the course of a season. Rafael is having an unbelievable season. De Gea is improving. I am able to make changes without them having any really bad impact now.”