|
Sir Alex Ferguson is still confident that Manchester United will make it through to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, despite suffering defeat last night in the first leg of their tie with Porto.
Despite taking the lead through Quinton Fortune's early goal, United were beaten 2-1, thanks to two goals from Benni McCarthy.
Not only was it a below par performance from the English champions, but they will also have to face up to the fact that they will be without skipper Roy Keane, who was sent off four minutes from time for stamping on Porto keeper Vitor Baia.
Ferguson is sure that his men can overcome the deficit in the make-or-break return tie at Old Trafford on March 9.
"We still have a good chance," said the Scot.
"The away goal is very important and while we would always prefer Roy Keane in our team, we have the option of dropping Paul Scholes back and bringing Kleberson in.
"We know we need a goal to put us through, so the main thing is that all our goalscorers will be available to us."
They are resigned to losing Keane for the second leg, but the skipper will be present for crucial Barclaycard Premiership and FA Cup ties with Fulham.
Fergie conceded that the referee was right to dismiss Keane as contact was made, but he insists there was no real malice intended, and still insists the keeper "made more of it" than he perhaps should.
He added: It goes without saying that we would prefer Roy Keane to be in our team," said Ferguson.
"There was no malice in the incident, it is not Roy's style to do anything like that.
"The goalkeeper made more of it than he should have done. Certainly he stood on the lad but I don't know whether he could have got out of the way.
"I can understand why the linesman flagged but the keeper made a meal of it."
|
