Sir Alex Ferguson has demanded his Manchester United players "waken'' from their slumbers against Athletic Bilbao tomorrow in order to protect their European status.

For so many years United have used their form at Old Trafford as the basis to launch deep inroads into the Champions League. This term has been very different, however.

Ferguson accepts his side never recovered from throwing away a two-goal lead against Swiss outfit Basle on matchday two, a further home draw with Benfica helping to condemn them to a group stage exit for the first time since 2005.

But United have found it no easier in the Europa League, where they almost contrived to get knocked out despite at one stage boasting a three-goal aggregate lead to Ajax.

The Red Devils chief accepts if his side want to prolong their stay in the competition, they must do better, especially as in the last 16 they are facing a team fifth in La Liga and have booked a Copa del Rey final encounter with Barcelona in addition to their conquests on the European front.

"It is a game in which we need to waken up,'' said Ferguson.

"Some of our European form this season has been disappointing. I don't know whether we are making too many changes.

"Obviously I will be playing a strong team tomorrow and hopefully that makes a difference because it is going to be a very difficult game.''

Domestically, Sunday's win at Tottenham was United's 10th on the road this term, twice the number they managed in the whole of last season, and leaves them just two points adrift of City having completed their most testing run of fixtures.

"It is going to be an exciting time for the club,'' said Ferguson.

"We had a fantastic result on Sunday. Hopefully that gives us the impetus to have a real go at this league.''

First up, though, is Athletic and the Spanish club's teenage forward Iker Muniain is out to give Ferguson's side a major first-leg scare at Old Trafford.

"It's a game we've been looking forward to for a long time. We're going there with every intention of giving Manchester United a scare and getting a positive result for the return leg,'' he told Press Association Sport.

"If we can keep the tie alive from Old Trafford, San Mames will be up for a big European night (in the return leg).''

Muniain, who is a good friend of United goalkeeper David de Gea with the duo having been team-mates in the Spain youth ranks, also hopes his side can capitalise if the Red Devils show any sort of complacency tomorrow night.

"Maybe they could be affected by relaxing too much, which can happen if you feel superior to your opponents. We all know the high quality of their players, but sometimes subconsciously, you can relax too much and if we take advantage of that we can cause them some damage,'' he added.

Muniain, who scored in both legs of Athletic's success over Lokomotiv Moscow in the last 32, made his full Spain debut for the World Cup winners in the recent international friendly win over Venezuela.

The 19-year-old's rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed in England, with various Premier League teams reportedly keeping an eye on him, but the Pamplona-born forward insists he is not looking to move any time soon.

"No, right now I don't see it (himself in the Premier League), I'm not thinking about anything else than this great club, which is what I love most. But, as I've said many times, in football you never know what can happen,'' he said.


Match

United

Athletic are about to learn why SAF is "The Archbishop", OT "The Theatre" and the team is the FAMOUS MANCHESTER UNITED

I would put my money on Bilbao to walk away with at least a draw if I didn't need it for something else.

Mukina2

tough tough match!

/

Giggs and Jones in midfield for United. Athletic has won this tie before it even started - Iturraspe, de Marcos, Susaeta and Martinez(when Athletic switch to a back 3) in midfield for Athletic.

I expect Athletic to dominate.

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Dat was close

Goal!

rooney 1 nil

Rooney does it again.
Nice work from Chicharito.

Athletic should have had a penalty

Thank God, dat was close, wat is our defence doing?

1-1 lisbon score back

The Lion King, Llorente.

Bilbao schooling United.

Guess that makes up for the penalty they shoulda had.
45 minutes is plenty of time to turn it around.

Bilbao richly schooling United

Man Utd will kill dem, we are not arsenal dat alway "ALMOST" win. We have luck, we have skills and we have GOD!

Bilbao are looking like the home team. They are totally dominating United plus the fans are outsinging the Utd fans.

Sung out, Anderson in

Considering Bilbao own the whole damn pitch, I wonder where exactly SAF is trying to shore up.

OH *hit

After this game I am watching I hope these epl fans will learn to respect la liga.

Kai, see as Manure is dragging the PL in the mud. Na OT dem dey outplay Manure like this?  Oh lawd have mercy

KDK (m)
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Man Utd will kill dem, we are not arsenal dat alway "ALMOST" win. We have luck, we have skills and we have GOD!


@ KDK, u no talk again?   IMAO Useless goalkeeper  

usewisdom:


@ KDK, u no talk again?   IMAO Useless goalkeeper  

Omo, i no fit talk now, i dey busy, i dey come,

see goal o , see 1 million dollars pass

La Liga players have a quality on the ball that is rarely seen in other leagues.
The way these Bilbao players move and control the ball is a beauty. Their composure is classic.  EPL is popular,  YES, but true class is in Spain, NO SENTIMENTS.

ddippset:

After this game I am watching I hope these epl fans will learn to respect la liga.

My guy, nor be small thing, what position is Bilbao in the La Liga again? damn, the PL is in a nosedive.