All we need is a win, says Ferguson

SIR ALEX Ferguson summed up Manchester United's task fairly succinctly. All they have to do is win.

After a goalless draw with Marseille at the Stade Velodrome last night, no other result can be guaranteed to take United into the quarter–finals.

It is not a position to be scared of given they reached the Champions League final in 2008 on the back of a similarly tight first–leg in their semi–final against Barcelona.

But they have also lost from such positions, even if the 1998 quarter–final loss to Monaco is too far back for Ferguson to feel it is of any consequence.

"At this stage of the competition, away goals count and you always worry. At this stage, you are not playing any bad teams. But you would have to say: Manchester United at home? We have a good chance.

"All we have to do is win the game. I don't care if it is 10–9."

Not that Ferguson felt his team did themselves justice.

Amid rumours of an impending takeover bid from Qatar, co–chairman Avram Glazer was one of the unlucky ones who watched a tepid encounter.

Neither side carved out a clear–cut chance, United's best opportunity coming through a Darren Fletcher snap–shot in the first–half which did not find the Marseille net.