Ferguson ignores the past

Sir Alex Ferguson does not believe there are any comparisons between the dismal 2005 Champions League campaign and the make–or–break situation Manchester United find themselves in tonight.

Six seasons ago, the Reds staggered through the group phase before being dumped out by Benfica, thanks to a final–day defeat in Lisbon.

United have been better than that this season, yet they still need to collect at least a point from their visit to Swiss champions Basle to ease their passage into the last 16, knowing Group ‘C’ supremacy has virtually gone already.

Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov miss out tonight due to injury, while Michael Carrick is suspended.