United Were Too Careful At Parkhead In 2006

Not during the whole year, of course: we were mostly exciting, adventurous, cavalier and scored lots of goals.

However, the Champions League group game at Celtic which nearly cost our chances of finishing top was a different story: we were content to keep possession without any real penetration and attempt to see out the night with a comfortable 0-0 draw.

Needless to say, this is hardly the 'United way'. In a two-legged tie it could work but it has its dangers which were brutally demonstrated on that night.

Nakamura put Celtic ahead with their only chance of the game - it was a fantastic free-kick, no doubt - and though United laid siege to their goal during the remaining 10 minutes, we missed a penalty and a great chance by Saha and ended up losing a game which we dominated.

Now, this must not happen again. The importance of keeping possession in Europe is one of Fergie's favourite mantras but if we aim to win then we've got to do something with that possession. The important thing is to have penetration, for which we have to take risks.

If I want to be brutally honest, then I must say we were a little cowardly on that night. This Celtic, with all due respect, is a limited side, not as strong as they were two years ago. So why not go for their throats from the very first minute this time?

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