Search for away goal in United's sights

Manchester United and Arsenal draw their battle lines at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night with a place in the UEFA Champions League final at stake.

Where United had Arsenal back on their heels for the entire match in their first leg - a 1-0 victory for Manchester United - it is unlikely that either team will sit back in their own half of the field in this one...which should promise to be an end-to-end thriller.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has not been shy in announcing his young side have what it takes to overcome their opponents' slender advantage, but he will also be well aware that one away goal for United could mean curtains.

That away goal is what is likely to drive Sir Alex Ferguson's United towards the jugular in North London, rather than defending their edge which is always such a risky strategy in two-legged European knockout stages, and is also what promises to make for a thrilling, nerve-wracking night.

“We are in a good place going into the game," Ferguson said. "We have a lead and we are only one kick away from Rome. It is a big incentive for us.”

A goal for United will mean Arsenal have to score three.

Ferguson said: “I think we will need to score and we have that goal threat about us which is a big bonus.

“We have the ability to score and if we did it would put us in a very strong position. But I am expecting a very close game. You cannot call it.

Indeed of late, Ferguson has been full of praise for the Frenchman, while he has taken his verbal war to Rafa Benitez at Liverpool instead.

Ferguson said: “I can only admire the fact Arsene has kept his philosophy. He has never changed it.

“His teams always want to play football, he believes in young players. Manchester United have always been that way, too.

“You can only respect that and I do. He has brought fresh players in at the right time of the season and they have the ability to go with it.

“It’s going to be a fantastic game. Two good football teams and there won’t be a lot in it. It could even go to penalty kicks. Who knows?”