Bayern will have doubts - Moyes

Manchester United Manager David Moyes, pictured, thinks Bayern's record against English teams will play on their mind
9 April 2014

David Moyes hopes Bayern Munich's recent poor record against English teams will play on their mind when they line up against Manchester United on Wednesday.

Although last week's 1-1 draw at Old Trafford was a commendable result, United still have a big mountain to climb to make it into the last four of the Champions League.

Bayern have a formidable record. Last Saturday was the first time they had lost in 53 league matches and domestically the Bavarians have not lost at the futuristic Allianz Arena since October 2012.

But one crumb of comfort for Moyes as he readies his team to face the likes of Mario Gotze, Franck Ribery and Mario Mandzukic is that Bayern have failed to win any of the last four home games against English opposition.

Manchester City and Arsenal have both won here this season while the Gunners also drew at the Allianz last season - the year after Chelsea beat Bayern to lift the Champions League at the Allianz.

"I think that would be something which is more in Bayern's mind," the United manager said.

"They will have that doubt in their mind. They are European champions but they will have the games they have played against English teams in mind. And we will try to use it to our advantage."

Despite their recent record against English teams - and their long injury list - it would still be a big upset if United beat Bayern and progressed on Wednesday.

The fact that Bayern lost their unbeaten streak at weekend also means little. Pep Guardiola made wholesale changes to his team for the defeat to FC Augsburg, handing two young Bayern players league debuts.

Unlike Guardiola, Moyes has endured a difficult debut season at his new club.

Bayern won the Bundesliga with a record seven games to spare, but United are seventh in the Premier League so the best chance they have of qualifying for the competition next year is by winning it.

"The Champions League is a competition all sides are trying to achieve by reaching it and it's no different at United," said Moyes, who is aware that the last time United failed to qualify for the Champions League came 18 years ago.

"It's a competition that we have been one of the most successful clubs in Europe in it and it's a competition we want to try to continue in.

"It's a massive game. It's the sort of game United have been involved in over the years, we are ready for it again

"We need a very good performance from everybody. It's a game where you cannot carry any passengers."

Guardiola's injury crisis means he has only 14 first-team players to choose from, but Moyes has fitness concerns of his own.

Wayne Rooney may have declared himself fit to play despite a toe injury, but Rafael and Marouane Fellaini missed United's final training session and could therefore be absent from the starting XI.

Fellaini's absence could open the door for Darren Fletcher, who is desperate to play in a Champions League final after missing the last two through illness and suspension.

"Playing in a final has always been a dream of mine ever since I've been a small boy, but circumstances have prevented me (from doing so)," the midfielder said.

"Winning tomorrow night takes you closer to final and helps you achieve that but it's the club and team getting there which is more important than individual. The most important thing for us is to get to the semi finals."

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