Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Ferguson happy with pitch

21 Oct 2009 - 10:33:19

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is not worried that Wednesday night's Champions League tie against CSKA Moscow will be played on an artificial pitch.

Indeed, Ferguson believes the Luzhniki Stadium surface will suit his own team's passing style.

He said in the build-up to the game: "We've analysed CSKA Moscow quite a lot in the last couple of weeks. It's quite an interesting combination they have - mostly experienced players in the back four and younger players in the front line.

"They're a good football team. They love to keep the ball down all the time and that has a lot to do with the pitch.

"It's a true pitch and the ball will stay on the ground as long as you want to pass it there. That way you can control the speed of the game. On this particular type of pitch, if you start lifting the ball, that's when your problems start.

"They're used to it. They've got the experience of playing on it which we don't, but the one advantage we've got is most of our players are good footballers."

United will be without Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher, Patrice Evra and Park Ji-Sung for the clash.