Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Fergie's Moscow mission
SIR Alex Ferguson is demanding United keep their foot on the Champions League accelerator and speed towards qualification.
The Reds have a 100 per cent record in Group B with six points from a visit to Istanbul against Besiktas and an Old Trafford win against Wolfsburg.
Sunday's Premier League clash at Anfield against Liverpool comes hot on the heels of the trip to CSKA Moscow.
And with back-to-back home matches in Europe to follow, United could afford to lose tonight in Russia and still be on target for Fergie's 10-point qualification target.
Incentive
But the Reds boss will have none of it. "I don't agree that we can afford not to win," he said. "I want to win as it's a fantastic incentive to top the group.
"We've analysed CSKA and they have an interesting formation, with the experience in the back four and the young players at the front of the team.
"They have very good young players and are a good football team who want to keep the ball down all the time.
"That's because of the arti- ficial pitch. It's a true pitch and they can keep the ball down on it and pass it around. The problems start when you begin to lift the ball on this surface.
"But we have good players also, so that is not a problem for us."
Ferguson was also asked for his reaction to the decision by the FA to charge him with improper conduct following his "unfit" comments about referee Alan Wiley.
But the Reds boss issued a curt reply. "Silly question, gets no answer. I've nothing to say about it. I'm at a press conference for a game tomorrow."
He then stood up and cut short his media conference in the Luzhniki Stadium.
