Alex Ferguson is hoping tomorrow's Champions League referee Gilles Veissiere will not fall for Inter Milan gamesmanship. Reiterating comments made last week when he accused Inter players of being scheming, diving, ref baiters", Ferguson made the latest comments after UEFA's appointment of the French official yesterday.
The Manchester United manager said he expects the Inter players to try and "dupe" Veissiere and he wants him to take a "firm hand" as United take a 2-0 lead into the quarter-final second leg at the San Siro tomorrow night. Ferguson is confident in Veissiere's ability and he was pleased with his performance when he took charge of their Champions League group game against Juventus in Turin last season. Veissiere was also the referee who sent off Liverpool's Paul Ince and Steve McManaman and Valencia's Carboni during the chaotic end to their UEFA Cup tie in Spain earlier this season. "From what I can gather from our game against Juventus, he was a good ref," said Ferguson yesterday. "He also did the Valencia v Liverpool game this year and sent off Ince and McManaman. Hopefully UEFA have picked the best ref and if he is the best then we should be all right." Ronaldo will figure this time after playing 45 minutes against AC Milan on Saturday, although Ferguson is not so sure about the rest of their team. Inter played a changed 4-4-2 formation in the 22 draw against Milan on Saturday and Ferguson admitted he was not certain what way they would line up tomorrow. "Ronaldo will start, but I must say I find it difficult to assess what the rest of their team will be," he said. "I could probably pick eight of their players, but for the other three I would be guessing."
Ferguson has also warned his players to expect a hostile reception at the San Siro. "It is intimidating," he said. "I've been there a few times to watch games and while we played two pre-season games there, that does not give you a true barometer of what it will be like." Ferguson knows one away goal would be enough to silence the Inter supporters. United have scored in all of their group games and in Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole they have the strike-force to score the goal, which would confirm their place in the semi-finals for the second time in three years.
"It was important for us not conceding an away goal at Old Trafford and they know that," he said. "Every time we attack that will make a difference to us and if we score, I think we will go through." United could hardly be in better shape going into the game. They are unbeaten in three months, while Peter Schmeichel has recovered from the flu to play. Nicky Butt has also returned from his hip injury to provide Ferguson with the luxury of choosing his 22-man party from a fully fit squad.
