Andy's Tuesday tips - Man Utd will make it

Most would admit that the first leg of this tie wasn't a great game. Manchester United were more than happy to play for a draw knowing that a win at home would send them through and Marseille seemed to be so concerned with not conceding an away goal that they didn't really take any chances in terms of sending men forward.

For the return leg, I think the French champions' game-plan will be to frustrate their hosts, not give them any space and hope they can make something happen on the break or from a set-piece. In their minds, if they can grab an away goal they'll feel that's enough to make it through.

Doubts over whether Nani will be fit are a big blow because he's the sort of player who makes things happen when you're struggling to create chances; he also caused Marseille problems in the first leg.

But Manchester United may try to solve the problem caused by his absence by playing a front three of Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez in front of a narrow midfield, thus not really needing to replace the Portuguese star with another winger.

Rio Ferdinand would be a good player to have in a match like this because of his ability to handle the big matches but we know he'll be out as well.

We may have another war of attrition again between these two sides but Fergie's boys have been excellent at home this season and with the greater experience of reaching the latter stages of this competition, I think they'll make the last eight once again.

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Andy Gray is now on Twitter so follow him for his exclusive tips and his take on the biggest stories in football each week.

Published: 15 Mar 2011

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