Schmeichel a weak link say Bayern

Peter Schmeichel's faltering Manchester United career reached a new low last night when he was pinpointed as the weak link in their make-up by Bayern Munich's Brazilian striker Giovane Elber.

Elber profited from one of Schmeichel's greatest mistakes to earn the German side a last-minute draw in the Champions League match at the Olympic Stadium in Munich in September.

If United fail to reach the quarter-finals, the goalkeeper's clanger, when he collided with Jaap Stam in an attempt to clear a harmless throw-in and left Elber with an open goal, will be seen as the pivotal point in their qualifying campaign.

Schmeichel, who recently announced his intention to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season and return to the Continent, also committed two costly errors against Barcelona last month at the Nou Camp. It is clear Bayern have been paying close attention to the once invincible Danish international during their pre-match preparations.

"Schmeichel has been at fault for Manchester United in recent European and league games and it is our job to capitalise," said Elber.

"We have studied videos of recent games to see United's weaknesses and strengths as part of our preparations and they show that Schmeichel has made a big mistake in nearly every match.

"We are all hoping that it happens again. It is clear that United are very strong in attack, but they have problems in defence and we must take advantage."

Bayern's 18-man squad arrived in a typically rain-swept Manchester yesterday afternoon and had a light training session at Old Trafford where their coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was suitably unimpressed by the condition of a pitch resembling a patchwork quilt.

"It is the job of the coach to be well informed about the opposition and I am fully aware about everything - from the danger players to the problems with the pitch," he said.

Hitzfeld, who masterminded Borussia Dortmund's victory over United in the semi-finals two years ago, was strikingly composed during a packed press conference at the Manchester Marriott Hotel and Country Club.

"I would say without any shadow of a doubt that Bayern are better than the Dortmund side," he said. "We had a bad start in the qualifiers and if we can go through this so-called Group of Death as winners it would be nothing short of sensational. In our current position, however, I am sure we can go through to the quarter-finals and win the competition.

"The German national team and club sides have a good record against the English and my players know from the past that a German team can win in Manchester. We have respect, but no fear."