United take on Valencia at Old Trafford on Tuesday night determined to avoid defeat to finish in first place in Champions League G…

United take on Valencia at Old Trafford on Tuesday night determined to avoid defeat to finish in first place in Champions League Group C.
The Reds welcome the Spanish club to Old Trafford for the final group match knowing that anything other than a defeat will be enough to advance to the knockout stages as group winners and, consequently, avoid the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, plus United’s conquerors last season, Bayern Munich.
Veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is fully aware of the importance of steering clear of Europe’s elite, and said:
“We may be through now but we want to get to first spot to avoid any of the big teams in the earlier rounds. That’s what we need to do on Tuesday.”
The Reds have yet to concede a goal in this season’s Champions League and will become the first side to do so throughout an entire group stage if a clean sheet is kept against the Spaniards.
Van der Sar, in goal for three of the five clean sheets this term, is naturally pleased with the record, however he's aware there are much tougher challenges to come for the Reds. “When you start playing a higher standard of opposition it’s going to get difficult,” he said. “So far we haven’t played against the biggest teams in the Champions League so that’s maybe got something to do with it.”

Reds eye top spot

6TH DEC 2010

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