David Moyes insists Manchester United can overcome Bayern Munich
Wayne Rooney set to play as manager seeks to maintain club's proud record
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Manchester United manager David Moyes is backing his side to safeguard their Champions League legacy by eliminating holders Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s quarter-final, second-leg to reach the semi-finals.
Having drawn the first-leg 1-1 at Old Trafford, United come to Munich’s Allianz Arena hoping to have England striker Wayne Rooney fit after a toe injury.
Moyes has endured a wretched first season in charge and his side are lying seventh in the Premier League, seven points behind Arsenal and a Champions League berth for next season, but a win over Bayern would offer some redemption.
Under Moyes’ predecessor Alex Ferguson, United qualified for each Champions League campaign since 1995/96 and Moyes is all too aware that the Europa League will not suffice for the Old Trafford giants.
“This is a competition Manchester United has been very successful in and we’ll try to continue that,” said Moyes in United’s press conference.
“It’s difficult this year, but we’ll keep trying.
“My focus is on this game, not next season, the players are focused and they know their job, it’s a big task.
“We have a good record in the Champions League and we want to try to continue that.”
Tactically we’ll try to win the game, with the same spirit and determination we showed in the first leg
United must score at the Allianz Arena to progress as Bayern can go through with a goalless draw.
“That doesn’t alter our plan,” said Moyes.
“Tactically we’ll try to win the game, with the same spirit and determination we showed in the first leg.”
United were buoyed by a 4-0 away win at Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday, the same day Bayern crashed to their first Bundesliga defeat in 18 months when they went down 1-0 at Augsburg.
“We’ll need a very good performance from everybody,” said Moyes.
“We prepared well by beating Newcastle, which gave us all a good opportunity to get ready for this game.
“We want to be in the final, but first of all we have to make sure we get through tomorrow.”
United have only twice beaten Bayern in the Champions League.
Their famous 2-1 triumph in the 1999 final was followed by a bitter-sweet 3-2 quarter-final victory at Old Trafford in April 2010, but the Red Devils still went out after the Germans had won the first-leg 2-1 in Munich.
“It’s a massive game. We’ll do everything we can to reach the semis, but it’s hard because of the level of competition and quality of the teams,” said Moyes.
“I’d like to have more control of the ball [compared to the first leg] and have more affect on the game.”
