Van Gaal: United are favourites

Posted Wednesday, April 07, 2010 by PA

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal insists Manchester United are still the favourites to progress from their Champions League quarter-final despite the German side going into Wednesday night's second leg with a 2-1 lead.

Bayern came from behind to secure their advantage in Munich last Tuesday with late strikes from Franck Ribery and Ivica Olic after Wayne Rooney had put United ahead in the second minute.

The hosts looked good value for their victory in the Allianz Arena, but Van Gaal feels his side remain underdogs for the return match at Old Trafford.

Asked if he saw United as the favourites for the tie, the Dutchman said: "Yes. They have scored an away goal and they are a great team.

"They have a lot of experience playing big games at home and of course, they will have the support of the crowd.

"Our team is quite a young one in that it consists of young players, so that is a different situation.

"It is going to be our team versus theirs tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is refusing to rule out naming Rooney on the bench, as his 34-goal striker looks to overcome the ankle injury he suffered in the final moments of United's first leg defeat seven days ago.

Ferguson had at first rejected the notion of an appearance in the return match, insisting Rooney had "no chance" of being involved.

However, seconds later he said he didn't "think" Rooney would be on the bench, before adding that he expected the 24-year-old to try to change his mind before he confirms his squad an hour before kick-off.

Any chance, however slight, of Rooney being involved will be seized upon by supporters desperate for some good news at the end of a dismal week which will see United's European aspirations brought to an end unless they can overturn a 2-1 deficit.

"He has no chance," Ferguson began. "We have made some good progress with the lad and the medical team have done fantastic.

"But I am not prepared to take a risk on a player who is not 100% fit. They are looking more at the Manchester City game, maybe Blackburn as a substitute. That is possible.

"But it is an ankle injury, the same as any other. He is no different to anyone else."

Asked directly whether Rooney could be on the bench, Ferguson replied: "I don't think so, although he will maybe talk me into it. It is a difficult one."

Van Gaal does not believe that his opposite number is trying to play mind games with him over the fitness of the England forward.

He said: "I don't think that will happen, but when we played Fiorentina we were faced with a different team than we thought and that does happen in the football business.

"(But) I don't think Ferguson will do that and I'd also like to say that we did win a game with Rooney (playing) - it's not as if we can't win when Wayne

Rooney is playing for Manchester United. We don't even need to win - a draw is fine."