Vidic full of confidence

07/03/2007 08:05, Report by Steve Bartram

Vidic full of confidenceNemanja Vidic claims having no margin for error is inspiring United as they continue to covet three trophies.

The Serbian centre-back has been one of the stars in a season which has seen United storm to the top of the Premiership and progress in the Champions League and FA Cup.

"Confidence is really high at the moment," Vidic told Manchester United Radio. "But we have to improve because there are hard games coming every week. If you lose it can harm you because every match now is important now if we want to win trophies.

"Every point in the league is important to us, and in the FA Cup and Champions League one small mistake could mean that you are out of the competition."

United continue their assault on Europe against Lille on Wednesday night and, despite holding a first leg advantage, Vidic is approaching the second leg with caution.

"They are a strong team, especially defensively," he said. "They are very compact. In attack they have some very quick players and I don’t think the game will be easy.

"We got a good result in the first game, but we will need to be very good to reach the next stage. An early goal would be good for us, that’s the case in any game. But if we score early against Lille it will give us confidence."

Les Dogues ready, says Bodmer

"It would be great to score early in the game, because then they have to attack. With the pressure of their own fans, and their will to prove that they are the boss at home, we can set up some fast breaks."

- Mathieu Bodmer


07/03/2007 12:14, Report by Ian McLeish

Les Dogues ready, says BodmerTwo weeks on, Lille midfielder Mathieu Bodmer is still smarting over United’s controversial victory in the first leg, but is adamant that the defeat will spur them on to an unlikely win at Old Trafford in the second leg.

“We know that it is going to be very difficult,” he told icons.com, “but even before the first leg, we had nothing to lose. It's even more the case now, at 1-0 down and with the second leg at Old Trafford. But we really didn't appreciate what happened in Lens, so our desire to qualify is even stronger.

“We will try to push our football to the top level. It would be great to score early in the game, because then they have to attack. With the pressure of their own fans, and their will to prove that they are the boss at home, we can set up some fast breaks. But, I am sure it will be very difficult. And if they score first, it's a different story.”

Bodmer is convinced that the circumstances surrounding the first leg will create a fiery atmosphere at Old Trafford tonight, but again hopes his side will benefit.

“After what happened in France we know it is going to be hot at Old Trafford with their fans," he said. "But that's a good thing for us. We are going to be in the game from the first minute to the end. We've already played there, so we know how hot the crowd can be, but we know it will certainly be stronger this time. We know what we are going to face.”

Despite his strong words, Bodmer – who is expected to miss the game through injury – has admitted he would one day like to star at Old Trafford, but for the Reds.

“If Manchester United ever wanted to sign me, this tie hasn't put me off,” he confirmed. “Things have to be placed in their own context. It was a football match that had problems but that's it. Manchester United are Manchester United and always will be.”

Rio eyes killer goal

"If you start the game by just trying to protect your lead it could become dangerous. I think we need to score again to put the game out of their reach."

- Rio Ferdinand

Rio eyes killer goal

Rio Ferdinand believes United will need to score again if they are to see off Lille and progress to the last eight of the Champions League.

The Reds' are a goal to the good thanks to Ryan Giggs' much disputed quick free kick in the first leg two weeks ago. But Ferdinand feels United need to kill the tie off with another goal to ensure victory.

"We'll be approaching the game as if it's 0-0," the defender told United Review. "If you start the game by just trying to protect your lead it could become dangerous. We’ll be playing our normal game and going for the win.

"I think we need to score again to put the game out of their reach.

"We’ve watched a few videos of them recently and they’ve played on the counter-attack quite a bit in away games," he added. "I don’t expect that to change. I think they’ll bide their time during the game and then try and nick a goal to take it into extra time."

Ferdinand feels the unprecedented scenes which followed Giggs' 84th minute strike in the first match have added extra spice to the Old Trafford tie and he is urging the United fans to get behind the team.

"I think the fans will be really up for it especially after what happened in France," said the England international.

"The Lille fans gave us a hard time over there and things got a bit unsavoury at times when they started throwing things onto the pitch. I’m sure our fans will be keen to make themselves heard and hopefully it’ll be a classic European night."

Saha out for a month

07/03/2007 19:17, Report by Ben Hibbs

Saha out for a month Louis Saha has been ruled out for four weeks with a hamstring strain.

The United striker picked up the injury in training and on Monday was sent for a scan.

The results showed a slight strain of his left hamstring and the French forward will now be out of action for a month.

It means Saha is not likely to return until United travel to Portsmouth in the Premiership on 7 April, although there is a chance he would be fit for the Champions League quarter final first leg tie should United progress to the last eight.

Saha will miss Saturday's FA Cup trip to Middlesbrough, but, fortunately, he should only miss two league matches, against Bolton and Blackburn.

Nevertheless, the news is a blow for United and Sir Alex Ferguson, who is already without Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who went for a "wash-out" operation on his knee.

The Norwegian striker is not expected to return until United face Blackburn at Old Trafford on 31 March, while Henrik Larsson's loan ends after Saturday's visit to the Riverside to take on Middlesbrough in the FA Cup quarter finals.