Ferguson backs United to buck Spanish history

In the domestic arena, as the Premiership approaches its denouement, Manchester United have history on their side. Though the odds may be against Sir Alex Ferguson's men, observers are reluctant to write them off averring: "They have been there before. They know what is required".

In Europe tonight, however, history is against them. The English champions go into the first-leg of their European Cup quarter-final against Deportivo La Coruña aware, not only that the Spanish side have already defeated them home and away this season, but in a dozen attempts United have never beaten a Spanish team on their home ground.

They are not the only ones to struggle in Iberia. Since the Champions' League began a decade ago, Spanish clubs have been unbeaten in 17 home fixtures against English opposition. It is with respect Ferguson notes: "Spanish football is the strongest in Europe."

Not that the United manager believes his team cannot buck the trend at La Riazor stadium. Referring to the autumn defeats against Deportivo, he said yesterday: "We could have won both games. They came at a time when we were getting punished for lots of individual errors. Now we're playing a lot better. We went ahead in the first game and had opportunities to kill the match off and were let down by a couple of errors in the second."

United have not quite eradicated those errors, but it is only coincidental that the most recent culprit, Juan Sebastian Veron, is absent. The Argentinian midfielder, who was at fault when Middlesbrough won at Old Trafford 10 days ago, has been left behind to see a specialist over his heel problem. Ferguson, who denied reports of a training ground row between Veron and his captain, Roy Keane, said he was not expected to be out for more than a fortnight.

In Veron's absence, Ferguson has a choice between bringing Nicky Butt into a five-man midfield or playing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy in attack. The manager having talked glowingly of Solskjaer yesterday the betting money is on Butt.

La Coruña, despite losing two stalwart defenders, Manuel Pablo and Donato, continue to push Real Madrid in La Liga. Having also beaten Arsenal and Leeds at the claustrophobic Riazor in the last year, they are confident they can repeat their 2-1 win over United here in September. Coach Javier Irureta is expected to field the same XI that won at Highbury and against Juventus and Real Madrid this spring.

Though this is United's sixth successive appearance in the last eight, they have only reached one final and Ferguson admits his team are yet to secure a place alongside the greats. He said: "When you look at the history of the competition you see clubs like Bayern, Real Madrid, Ajax and Milan winning it two or three times. We have showed great consistency to get this far but, apart from one fantastic season, when we won it, we've not always done ourselves justice. We are certainly capable of doing better and it is an area we want to improve upon."

To that end United know they need to score. A goalless draw away from home is no longer regarded as a good first-leg result as it leaves teams vulnerable to the away goal. Ferguson, recalling failures in recent years against Monaco and Real Madrid after drawing 0-0 away, added: "We know from experience it is very important to score." He drew comfort from United's away form and one statistic is on their side. United have scored in every one of 22 Premiership and Champions' League fixtures on the road. As if to underline the point, on the two occasions they failed to score, against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, and Arsenal reserves in the Worthington Cup, they went out.

Deportivo La Coruña (probable): Molina; Scaloni, Cesar, Naybet, Romero; Mauro Silva, Sergio; Victor, Valeron, Fran; Tristan.

Manchester United (probable): Barthez; G Neville, Blanc, Johnsen, Silvestre; Beckham, Keane, Butt, Giggs; Scholes; Van Nistelrooy.

Referee: K Vassaras (Greece).