Fergie sanguine ahead of massive Real game

The two sides will go into the second-leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday tied at 1-1, which means United have a slight advantage thanks to their away goal.

However, Real will be brimming with confidence after having beaten Barcelona twice since they were held by United at the Santiago Bernabeu nearly three weeks ago. Not the Ferguson is overly worried.

Speaking after his side's 4-0 mauling of Norwich in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday, he said: "I felt we looked very comfortable (in the first leg) and gave a good account of ourselves.

"We could have scored five or six goals. Robin van Persie missed two great opportunities and their goalkeeper made a couple of good saves.

"And although we expected Madrid to have a lot of possession there was nothing that worried me unduly so perhaps we should have won the game."

Much may depend upon whether Phil Jones recovers from the ankle injury that kept him out of Saturday's game because without him, Ferguson does not have an obvious alternative to screen his defence.

It might be a job for Ryan Giggs, hence his omission from the squad to face Norwich, denying the Welshman his 1,000th senior appearance.

Neither Tom Cleverley nor Anderson seem disciplined enough defensively, which does create something of a headache.

However, Ferguson is acutely aware that, after losing both the 2009 and 2011 finals, victory would represent a significant milestone for his reshaped team.

"To beat Real Madrid on our own ground would be a great step forward for this particular team," said Ferguson.

"It would give us a chance of going all the way in this tournament."