A trip to Turkey for a Champions League clash is tough for any team who goes there and Tuesday’s game at Bursaspor promises to be far from an easy night for Manchester United. Although they lead their group with two wins and a draw against an opponent who have lost all three matches, Sir Alex Ferguson will not be taking any chances and will have a strong squad at his disposal as he continues his chase for a spot in the knock out stages. Full points frm the visit will almost certainly get him there.
Turkey has been one of those difficult places to visit for United ever since they lost a European Cup tie to Galatasaray 17 years ago. This trip however does not take them to Istanbul, they are instead off to the provinces to play the first Turkish champions since 1984 not to come from Istanbul.
In the 1-0 away defeat of Valencia last month, Ferguson played five midfielders and a lone striker. If he uses the same formation in Bursa, another narrow victory may be on the cards
With United’s closest challengers Rangers and Valencia meeting in Spain on the same night, victory would almost ensure Uniteds qualification for the last 16. Asked by MUTV if he might be tempted to leave some of his big names at home Ferguson said “I’d rather take a strong squad and try to make sure we move closer to getting through to the next stages.”
”If we win we’ll be on ten points and we’re virtually qualified then. That’s the way I need to look at it. If there are any doubts over players’ fitness I won’t take them, but it looks like they’re all okay” he added. United last visited Turkey for the group clash with Besiktas last September grabbing victory thanks to Paul Scholes’ late winner. Sir Alex will no doubt settle for a similar result on Tuesday night.
Will three points in Bursa ensure qualification for United?
