The cold wind greeting Manchester United on their arrival here will be nothing compared to the icy blast of pessimism chilling Alex Ferguson's latest European ambitions to the marrow tonight should his team fail to beat Brondby, opponents they have already defeated 6-0 in Denmark in a pre-season friendly.
The four points dropped in drawing 3-3 with Barcelona at Old Trafford and 2-2 with Bayern Munich in the Olympic Stadium have narrowed United's margin for error to a fine degree. To reach the quarter-finals they must win their group or be one of the two best runners-up; it is going to be hard to do either.
So much will depend on Peter Schmeichel having fully recovered from the abdominal strain which has kept him out for three weeks. United's former Brondby goalkeeper came safely through a training session on Monday and will play provided he has satisfied Ferguson he can kick the ball without discomfort.
Raimond van der Gouw, Schmeichel's Dutch deputy, is capable but does not have the Dane's enormous presence in goal. "You could see when we lost 6-0 to United how my players treat him as an idol," said Brondby's coach Ebbe Skovdahl. "They think he's unbeatable and that creates psychological problems."
Skovdahl has breathed a sigh that United will be without David Beckham who is suspended after picking up two yellow cards.
Beckham has gone on holiday to Marbella with his fiancee Victoria Adams.
Victory in the Parken Stadium tonight would keep United's chances realistically alive, particularly if Bayern beat Barcelona against the odds at Nou Camp. "I hope Bayern win tomorrow," Ferguson said yesterday. "That would be a good result for us so long as we win our two games against Brondby."
Whatever happened pre-season, United have to succeed where Bayern Munich were beaten 2-1 seven weeks ago, Brondby punishing careless defending after the Germans appeared the more likely winners. United suffered similar experiences against both Barcelona and Bayern.
United were held in Munich only when a rare error by Schmeichel, failing to reach a long throw-in, enabled the Germans to level at the last.
Now United have to make up lost ground without several experienced players. Beckham and Nicky Butt are banned, and Denis Irwin, Ronny Johnsen, Teddy Sheringham and David May unfit.
Ferguson can still put out a team of strength well capable of defeating Brondby even if the margin does not quite match the drubbing in summer. Encouraged by the 5-1 win over Wimbledon, Ferguson may keep faith with the partnership of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, who between them have scored five times in two matches, while continuing to play Ryan Giggs through the middle.
Losing the consistent quality of Beckham's centres from the right will be a handicap. Paul Scholes will probably switch there, but in a holding role, while Ferguson looks to Jesper Blomqvist to provide pace and penetration on the left.
The confidence of 19-year-old Wes Brown on Saturday may see the him stay at right-back, with Jaap Stam and Gary Neville in the middle of defence and Phil Neville on the left. "Wes has a good temperament," said Ferguson. "That can make your mind up."
Brondby are without John Jensen, the former Arsenal midfielder, who is suspended after two cautions, the second in Barcelona for diving. Ebbe Sand and Bo Hansen have together scored 16 goals this season but, if Skovadhl is nervous about United's speed on the break, he may start with Sand as a lone striker.
Brondby (probable, 4-4-2): Krogh; Colding, Rasmussen, Nielsen, B Jensen; Bjur, Daugaard, Ravn, Lindrup; Sand, Hansen.
Manchester United (probable, 4-4-2): Schmeichel; Brown, Stam, G Neville, P Neville; Scholes, Keane, Giggs, Blomqvist; Cole, Yorke.
Referee: V Pereira (Portugal).
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