Hitzfeld points to Blanc space

Not for nothing was Ottmar Hitzfeld seen as a suitable successor for Alex Ferguson. The Bayern Munich coach has a presence that can silence a packed room when he enters. He gives little away, and what he does say deserves attention.

"While I'm fully aware of the threat that Manchester United pose in attack, I also think it's possible to hurt them defensively," he said. Laurent Blanc, in particular, has been identified as a potential weakness for Bayern to exploit. "Blanc has a good sense of positioning, but he is not the quickest. It is a fact United are not so strong in defence."

Privately Ferguson might be inclined to agree. The emphasis tonight will be on retaining an air of solidity, with Ruud van Nistelrooy likely to play as a lone striker and Roy Keane deployed in front of defence.

"First and foremost we have to make sure we are defensively sound," said the United manager. "Bayern are a team that can use the counter-attack if you allow them. We need a base to operate from."

United have not won against German opposition at home since beating Vorwarts Berlin 36 years ago, but if they change that tonight they will reach the Champions League knockout stages as winners of Group A, ensuring a preferential quarter-final draw against the runners-up from another group.

A draw would be enough for both teams to qualify should Boavista fail to get three points in Nantes, but United will feel a win over Bayern is overdue in what will be their seventh meeting in this competition in the last four seasons.

The sides met in last season's quarter-finals - Bayern winning both legs on their way to the title - and three times in 1998-1999. In the group phase both matches were drawn but when they were reunited in the final Manchester United produced a memorable comeback to complete the treble.

"Everyone remembers what happened in the final three years ago, but people tend to forget we haven't beaten them in any of the other five meetings," said Ryan Giggs, who was injured when the sides drew 1-1 in Munich in November.

"They have definitely raised their game against us . . . the way they lost the final hurt their players and that pain is obviously a major motivation."

With Juan Sebastian Veron and van Nistelrooy in the line-up, Hitzfeld thinks United will prove tough opposition.

"Manchester United have become stronger with van Nistelrooy and Veron, who are world-class players."

Hitzfeld reserved special praise for the Dutch striker, who has scored an incredible 32 goals this season.

"He is one of the best strikers in the world," said Hitzfeld. "There will be nobody specific marking him, but it is more of the responsibility of our whole defence to stop him."

Hitzfeld has a lengthy injury list headed by Mehmet Scholl and Carsten Jancker. If Bayern nullify United's immense attacking talents, the former Borussia Dortmund coach believes his players can exploit the home side's defensive frailties, although he does not think lack of pace is one of them.

He said: "I do not want to give anything away tactically but we are aware they are strong in attack and also that they can be got at in defence.

"With Manchester United's defence, though, it is not a case of pace because they have positional sense. However, Bayern will still have the chance on the counter-attack."

And while Hitzfeld's darkest moment was Ferguson's shining light, the German insists the ghosts of the heartbreaking 1999 final collapse were finally buried by last season's success.

"It has been struck off," he said. "Tomorrow is just another game against Manchester United."

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-1-4-1, probable): Barthez; Irwin, G Neville, Blanc, Silvestre; Keane; Beckham, Scholes, Veron, Giggs; Van Nistelrooy.

BAYERN MUNICH (4-4-2, probable): Kahn; Sagnol, Kuffour, Linke, Lizarazu; Hargreaves, Effenberg, Jeremies, Paulo Sergio; Elber, Santa Cruz.

Referee: G Veissiere (France).

Guardian service