Gonzalez not afraid of Reds

PORTO skipper Lucho Gonzalez is not scared by Manchester United’s reputation as the Portuguese champions look to dump the Champions League holders out of this season’s competition.

After a 2–2 draw at Old Trafford last week, Porto know a repeat of the goalless stalemate they achieved with Atletico Madrid in the first knockout round would be enough to eliminate Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

But, with Rio Ferdinand back from a groin injury, United should be a much tighter unit in defence tonight - and therefore pose more of a threat in attack.

Gonzalez said: “I don’t know if United can play any better than they did last week, but I will try to make sure they don’t.”

Coach Jesualdo Ferreira is equally defiant. He knows history is on Porto’s side given they have never lost a European home game against an English club and that United went out from this position in the 2002 semi–finals when they lost on away goals to Bayer Leverkusen.

“There is no way I would swap places,” said Ferreira, when asked if he would like to be in Ferguson’s shoes.

“Manchester United are the best team in the world. But last week we proved they were only human and we aim to do the same again.”