Veron gives United hope of reaching summit

Argentinian's vision must be harnessed in knock-out stages

Even at 4am Manchester United's players were in an upbeat mood yesterday, having arrived back at Ringway Airport as one of three clubs – Milan and Barcelona being the others – to have secured their place in the second phase of the Champions' League.

Reflecting on Wednesday night's 3-2 victory over Olympiakos, Gary Neville said: "I think we have shown, not only in this game but in others over the past year, that we can go to difficult places like Athens and control the tempo.

"We kept the ball for long periods which quietened the crowd, something you have to do away from home. In the last year we have become what we've talked about becoming – an accomplished, experienced European team. At times we have been brilliant at keeping the ball. We've developed a lot of experience in the past six or seven years and become very difficult to beat.

"We are confident of going in against anybody. And we will have Roy Keane, Nicky Butt, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown back for the second phase."

There is much truth in Neville's remarks. United, playing a patient possession game, were by far the better side in Greece and should have won much more decisively. However, these sentiments have been expressed before. United have made the last eight in this competition for six successive seasons, but reached the final only once. When it comes to the knock-out stages United have usually lacked that extra edge.

It is hard to tell, on the evidence of the first group stage, if this year will be any different. Of United's opponents Maccabi Tel Aviv and Olympiakos lack class and both the latter and Bayer Leverkusen were struggling for confidence when United played them. Neville, though, noted: "People say it is a weak group, but we watched AEK Athens draw 2-2 with Real Madrid in the Bernabeu on Tuesday. That shows how tough this competition is."

United can draw encouragement from Juan Sebastian Veron's form against the Greeks. The Argentinian was bought to make the difference in Europe and the goals he scored home and away to Olympiakos underlined his quality. So did his lay-off for Paul Scholes' winner.

"He played very well," said United's manager, Alex Ferguson, of Veron. "He always wants the ball, no matter what his circumstances. He has an energy to play and wants to dictate."

Veron's strengths are, however, also his weaknesses. He makes a lot of impressive forward runs, often diagonal, which create opportunities for himself and space for others. But this leaves gaps and he is not an assiduous tracker nor a great tackler. In addition, his desire to play the difficult, unexpected pass whenever possible can unhinge team-mates as well as opponents. This was vividly illustrated when he gave the ball to Giovanni on the edge of United's box. Only good covering from Mikaël Silvestre denied the Brazilian a shot at goal. It is the price of genius and Ferguson will hope that, when Keane returns, he can marry the pair's contrasting talents. Only then, perhaps, will United reach the final.

The other issue confronting Ferguson is the threadbare nature of his striking reserves. With Van Nistelrooy injured and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer resting a sore ankle, he was forced to play Diego Forlan in attack. Neville and Ferguson praised the Uruguayan's work-rate, but there are plenty of Nationwide League players who work hard. To prove he deserves to play at this level Forlan will have to contribute on the score-sheet.

Ferguson admitted he was in the market for another striker, but his options are limited. "We've been a bit light, but it's difficult buying players in January," he added. "You could maybe get someone for the [domestic] league, but your top strikers are all playing European football [and therefore cup-tied] unless you go to South America or Africa. That has complications with work permits and nationality. It's not a lack of money. We'd have found it if we needed to."

One option is Andrei Shevchenko who has not played in Europe for Milan because he has been injured, but he would be a medical risk even if Milan would sell. A more plausible option would be Paolo Di Canio, a previous target and yet to sign a new deal with West Ham. What Ferguson needs, though, is a front-runner like Di Canio's team-mate Frédéric Kanouté. One left-field possibility would be Dion Dublin, currently experiencing a renaissance at Aston Villa and a former Ferguson signing. An experienced leader of the line he offers both an aerial and defensive option.

Ferguson will be able to have a good look at Dublin on Saturday as Villa visit Old Trafford tomorrow. Ferdinand and Van Nistelrooy should be back and, with their European place secure, Neville expects the team to focus on the Premiership. "Now is the time for us to really crack on in the league," he added. "We've a difficult period coming up with matches against Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool so we need to put some points on the board."