United - Our Poor Spanish Record!

Statistics can often be manipulated to suit a purpose but one statistic, as we head towards a Champions League group fixture against Valencia, in the Mestalla Stadium, doesn`t paint a pretty picture.

Seemingly, in our 18 European matches on Spanish soil, United have won only on 1 occasion, the one win on Spanish soil came in 2002 when Sir Alex saw his side beat Deportivo La Coruna 3-2. It`s a statistic that doesn`t bode well for tonight when our Champions League aspirations rest heavily on us getting a result.

Speaking about the prospect of trying to improve that statistic, Sir Alex Ferguson had this to say at his pre-match press interview,

"It`s obviously the hardest place for us to go. The standard of Spanish football has always been very good."

"Spain has produced cup-winning teams for years. So it will be a tough game. We`re all aware of that."

Sir Alex also talked up the Champions League tournament and his hopes for the club, remarking,

"The Champions League is the best tournament. It`s the biggest challenge, because you`re the best teams. You want to be classed alongside the likes of Barcelona, the great teams who`ve won it so many times."

"There`s a big expectation for us to do well in Europe. Sometimes we`ve disappointed and sometimes you can be unlucky - one bad moment in football and you can go out. But it drives you on and hopefully this year we can go better."

We`d hope so but every year this competition seems to get tougher and tougher and with the new financial restrictions coming into force shortly, it isn`t going to get any easier.



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