A 0-0 draw against joint leaders Villareal a fortnight ago was enough to seal Man United’s place into the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

The Reds still top the table ahead of the Spanish club due to a better goal difference. A good win tonight against Aalborg will ensure Manchester of finishing strongly beyond Villareal and avoid the fate of every second-placed team in the quarter-finals draws: having to face a club that finished first in its table.

Kasper Risgard’s first time experience

The Dans will have nothing to loose in tonight’s encounter. Their thrilling 2-1 victory against Celtic two weeks ago ensured them an UEFA Cup third place finish in Group E, so Aalborg’s Kasper Risgard reserves himself the right to relish his side’s clash against the Champions.

“We’re all looking forward to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,”

“It’s the biggest game of my career and I’m sure the same goes for the other players. It’s really funny to play against the big stars because I’d only ever seen Manchester United play on television in the past.”

Risgard doesn’t feel any wound from their disappointing 3-0 defeat back in September; rather than thinking of revenge, the player dreams of the wonderful experience of playing in front of 70,000 supporters instead of the 10,000 people that Aalborg welcome for their Champions League home games.

“It’s going to be a difficult game,” he admits, “so all we can do is try to enjoy it. We’ve never played in front of so many fans and at such a legendary stadium, but we go there without any pressure. It’ll be great to look back one day and say we played in this game.

Manchester United’s squad for the match.

Fergie’s boys have been devastating at times this season in front of goal, trouncing Stoke City 5-0 or even Blackburn Rovers 5-3. But they are also very inconsistent, netting only twice in their last three Premier League matches.

As the desire to retain the top spot is Man United’s priority at this stage of the competition, the Danish club Aalborg – who will play under no pressure – is certainly the perfect opposition.

However, not everything is so smooth for the home side.

“Cristiano is doubtful and Michael Carrick is out,” Fergie said at his pre-match press conference to inform the media on the team’s injury list before adding:

“Those are the only injury problems we have. Michael should be ready for Saturday, but we’ll have to see how Cristiano is.”

The Portuguese winger could not train with the rest of his teammates on Monday because of the hip injury he sustained against Sunderland last weekend. However, he featured in yesterday’s training session and could be available for tonight’s European game.

Three other players who missed training are Michael Carrick, Patrice Evra and young striker Danny Welbeck. However, John O’Shea returns to action after being sidelined by a hamstring injury.
The good old Paul Scholes has also been included in the squad though he might start from the bench.

In the group’s other tie, Villareal travel to Glasgow to play bottom side Celtic who have no chance of progressing whatsoever.

Written by: Angela Asante