Sir Alex hopes tactics are right

Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to get his tactics right when he pits his wits against Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho on Tuesday night.

The Manchester United manager produced the right game-plan at the Bernabeu as a 1-1 draw was secured and, with better luck in front of goal, the result could have been even more positive.

With Real clearly a threat on the break, the way in which the hosts approach the second leg is certain to prove crucial as the Spanish side have been boosted by back-to-back victories against Barcelona.

When asked if the Reds will need to produce a defensive performance akin to the one that defeated Barcelona in the 2008 Champions League semi-final, Sir Alex replied: "That probably will be the key to the game, to be honest. As we know, Real Madrid are one of the best counter-attacking teams in Europe. 

"That showed itself last Tuesday at the Nou Camp – they were absolutely stunning on the counter-attack so we have to find a way of coping with that while also having our own threat in an attacking sense.

"If you’re preparing for a game of football at our level you have to respect the strengths of the other team, which we do. Every team we play against, we do work in terms of their shape, their tactics and who their best players are. You’re only doing your job. That applies itself tomorrow. We obviously know the sense of our team anyway – we know our strengths and how to go about these games, and hopefully that helps us tomorrow."

Sir Alex has complete faith in his squad for implementing his ideas and putting them into practice as he works out how to get his message across.

"We must trust the players," he stressed. "That's what we always do and they must trust each other. That’s why we’ve had continued success for a long period. The continuity of management helps – myself and the coaching staff are very acquainted with all the things that are needed to relate to footballers whether it be on the physical side, the nutritional side or the tactical side. 

"We have the equipment to deal with all things. I’ve made up my mind for tomorrow what the theme of my motivation will be and my tactics talk. Certainly part of it will be about trusting themselves."

Cristiano Ronaldo is Madrid's biggest threat and he will be out to upset his former club when returning to Old Trafford for the first time since his record-breaking switch to the Bernabeu.

"My biggest concern is that he turns up!" joked Sir Alex. "What do you expect when you play against a team with Ronaldo in it? You expect problems during the night. We have to try and curtail that as best we can. 

"It won’t be easy because he does it every week, it’s not an accident about the lad. The experience young Rafael had in the first half in Madrid hopefully helps him because he’ll be getting the same task again. I don’t think it’s one we should fear. If we go in worrying about the damage Cristiano can do then we’ll forget some of the things that we can do ourselves."