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Tuesday 1 April 2014

Manchester United do not see themselves as “underdogs” for Tuesday’s Champions League

Manchester United do not see themselves as “underdogs” for Tuesday’s Champions League home match with holders Bayern Munich, says player-coach Ryan Giggs.
And ahead of the quarter-final first leg, the 40-year-old insists United believe they can win the competition.
“Of course it is possible,” the midfielder said. “You need to play well, to get that little bit of luck.”
Giggs acknowledged facing Bundesliga champions Bayern will be “tough”, but added: “We’re confident.”
The Welshman, who made his 961st appearance for the Red Devils in their 3-0 victory over Olympiakos on 19 March to seal their last-eight place, added: “We are Manchester United, and at Old Trafford we have had so many great nights.”
Giggs also used the news conference to reject any talk of a rift between him and manager David Moyes.
“The relationship is good,” he said. “Of course as a player you want to play all the time… but you are not sulking, you just have to be ready to play your best for the team.
“There is no problem with the manager, I don’t know where that came from.”

Bayern, who won a historic Treble last season, sealed this year’s Bundesliga title last week,with seven games remaining.
United, meanwhile, are seventh in the Premier League, 10 points adrift of fourth place and Champions League qualification.
Manager David Moyes has several selection concerns ahead of Tuesday’s game, most notably in defence, where midfielder Michael Carrick filled in at centre-back during the 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday. 
Left-back Patrice Evra is suspended while likely replacement Alexander Buttner is a doubt with a hamstring injury, as is right-back Rafael.
Central defenders Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling, the latter of whom has also played at right-back this season, have only recently recovered from injuries.
Striker Robin van Persie remains sidelined and January signing Juan Mata is cup-tied having played in the competition for Chelsea earlier this season.
“We have defensive issues undoubtedly, we will have to make one or two changes,” said Moyes. “We know that on our day we’re as good a side as any but we have to show it more often.
“I am really looking forward to coming up against [Bayern manager] Pep Guardiola. It is the first time I have done but I have no doubt I will be doing it many times in the future.”

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