Keeper aiming for top spot

Edwin van der Sar has confirmed Manchester United are intent on securing top spot in their Champions League group in order to avoid Europe's heavyweights in the first knockout round. United entertain Valencia at Old Trafford tomorrow night with their place in the last 16 already confirmed. Yet there is still one more task left; collecting the single point that would allow them to finish at the head of Group C, thus avoiding Barcelona and Real Madrid in the last 16. And, while United tend not to express concern about beating anyone, Van der Sar feels their chances of progress would be better served by taking a route to Wembley next May that avoids the Spanish giants. "It is quite clear," said the veteran Dutchman. "We are through now but we want to get top spot in order to avoid any of the bigger teams in the earlier rounds. "That is what we need to do against Valencia."

Source: PA