Manchester United skipper Nemanja Vidic is looking for plenty of patience from his side in the first leg, Champions League quarter Final against Chelsea in West London. United have the return leg to look forward to and Vidic says a crucial away goal is the desired prize on Wednesday meaning the hunt for that elusive victory is not a major concern this time around. “In terms of the results yes, they do have an edge because they had some good ones against us” Vidic conceded “but this is the Champions League and the name of the game for is to score an away goal.”
The big Serbian has often struggled to contain Chelsea’s £50 million capture Fernando Torres in the past but Vidic is refusing to take any encouragement from the lack of form he has shown for his new club so far saying that “it doesn’t give us any confidence” he said “Chelsea have good strikers and we have a lot of respect for them. Just because they haven’t been scoring goals, they will still be doing their best. And in a cup tie, what matters is who wins, not who gets the goals.”
United have done well on their European away trips so far this season winning at Valencia, Rangers and Bursaspor before coming back from a tough encounter in Marseille with a scoreless draw. Another positive will be the boost of their 4-2 comeback win at West Ham on Saturday, a result that came immediately before Chelsea’s disappointing draw at Stoke.
“Our performance on Saturday is a big positive for us” Vidic said “we scored four goals and played very good football. We do need to improve the defending part but if we can play like that against Chelsea, I am sure we will be okay.”
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson agrees stating that “The name of the game is to go back to Old Trafford with a goal in our pocket. Or hopefully even two goals. We want to make sure we go back there with a great chance of qualifying. If we go back to Old Trafford with some advantage we’ll be very difficult to beat on our own ground.”
“I was happy when the draw was made to have the second leg at Old Trafford” Sir Alex continued “it will be a magnificent atmosphere, the fans will be up for it. And when Old Trafford is like that it’s a wonderful place to be. Hopefully we go back with some advantage.”
And so will the Manchester United faithfull as they anxiously await the outcome at Old Trafford next week.
Will Chelsea’s hoodoo over United play a part in this tie?
