THERE IS NO MORE ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY!


So unforgiving is the stage of the season we have reached that a small lapse in concentration can cost a team victory. United have been victims of complacency in the past few weeks and after winning in the manner they did on Sunday, one can hope that that is behind them. Wins are not got by right but they are worked for. If United players take to the pitch today and expect Porto to play as the away team then they might as well not turn up and save the club an embarrassment. Porto famously knocked out United from Europe in 2004 and there is every reason to fear them just as much tonight. Even though they may not have the charismatic Mourinho on their touchline anymore, they do have a couple of dangerous South American players and they also play as a unit. That will make them harder to beat. The fact that they are also the top team domestically will give them the confidence of playing as Champions when they come to OT. One thing is for sure, they have played in more intimidating stadiums than OT so the players should not be fooled into thinking they will be overwhelmed by the atmosphere at OT. In short, we are up against an experienced European team and so we should give our all if we are to avoid an upset. The other thing is that we are home first, so every goal they score will push us closer to elimination. The defending tonight has got to be ten times better than in the past few weeks. If 3-2 was an unbelievable result at the weekend, if we win 3-2 tonight, it will be an almost unacceptable result. We must not give away goals at home if we are to stand a chance in the second leg. In this competition, a 0-0 home result is better than a 1-1 home result. Hopefully, the players will be up for it. e have Vidic, Rooney and Scholes back so hopefully, it will be a better performance than Sunday. I'd like to see Carrick get into the groove once again as his performances have dipped lately, Fletcher and Anderson are at he moment, doing better than him. JS Park will start in place of Nani whilst I expect Fletcher to make way for Scholes. The Captain should retain his place and O'Shea should be given a rest at last!

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