Rijkaard confident Barcelona have the strength to advance

SOCCER UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:WHEN FRANK Rijkaard was asked at Old Trafford last night if his players had prepared for the eventuality of penalties deciding whether they or Manchester United would go to next month's Champions League final in Moscow, he looked at the questioner as if he were mad.

"It's a possibility so, of course, that's what you do," said the former Dutch international who over a long and illustrious career as player and coach can hardly have been involved in a two-legged tie that seemed less likely to last 210 minutes without producing at least one goal.

Barcelona, it just so happens, have gone fractionally longer without finding the net in all competitions of late but the reality is that their league form stopped counting for anything much some weeks back.

In this competition they have matched their rivals' achievement of eight wins and three draws in 11 games this season and they arrive here encouraged by their first-leg performance, after which they have every bit as much to play for as their hosts.

At the Camp Nou they lacked punch up front - something United possess even on the bench if Saturday's events at Stamford Bridge are anything to go by - and were frustrated by some fine defending.

But here in Manchester, they expect to have more space to run at, and Rijkaard last night insisted he was bullish about his team's prospects even if the travelling Spanish press needed to be assured that when he indicated his confidence level to be five he meant five out of five rather than five out of 10.

"Obviously they are a great side but I still think we are in a good position," he said. "We need to be positive, though. Let's be brave and impose our style on the game. Get on the ball and pass it. Try not to get involved in Manchester United's style of play too much."

Earlier in the day, his opposite number had been asked how he felt Barcelona might adapt their approach to the different circumstances of an away leg.

"I don't think Barcelona can change," observed Alex Ferguson without any hint of criticism. "They play the same system . . . try to get you on that passing carousel where you get dizzy. I enjoy watching them but it's the same every time - they can't change."

The visiting side will indeed look very much as they did last Wednesday night, although their hopes of victory - something they now need to prevent their season being viewed as a complete disaster - are bolstered by the return from suspension of Carles Puyol.

The inspirational skipper missed last week's draw through suspension but reclaims his place in the heart of the defence at the expense of Rafael Marquez, who earned a ban by picking up a booking in the first leg.

Edmilson is also available, having recovered from injury, but his chances of featuring rest upon Yaya Toure failing to shake off a knock to the ankle picked up in Saturday's defeat by Deportivo La Coruna and the Ivory Coast international is expected to make it with the result that Rijkaard will probably make just one change to the 11 that started six days ago.

United's line-up looks harder to call, with Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic still major doubts after failing to train since the loss to Chelsea.

"We've got to give them every chance but it's difficult," said Ferguson. "We think both players could make it but I really can't be certain."

The Scot is conscious of the need to show a big improvement on their two most recent performances if they are to earn a place in the final in Moscow and will be aiming to spark a much stronger display with what is sure to be a more adventurous selection.

"We need to do better," he said, "but we've a very good team, big-occasion players, players who can win games.

"We were unlucky against Dortmund and Leverkusen. Maybe against Milan it was different - we weren't good enough on the night - but we had a sensational victory over Juventus the year we won it. And we have every chance tomorrow night.

"I think it will be very balanced, fascinating, very open. Tactical at times and explosions of the sort of play we expect from our team. I think it'll be more open than at the Nou Camp. I think we're going into it with a marvellous chance."

The only problem, he quickly conceded, is that, "I'm sure Barcelona are looking at it the same way."

PROBABLE TEAMS

MANCHESTER UNITED:Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick; Anderson, Scholes, Ronaldo; Tevez, Rooney.

BARCELONA:Valdes; Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Abidal; Deco, Toure, Xavi; Messi, Eto'o, Iniesta.

Referee:H Fandel (Germany).