Keane: We face our greatest challenge
Skipper Roy Keane has no doubts the task of overhauling Real Madrid's 3-1 lead from the first leg of their Champions League tussle at the Bernabeu is much harder than the one famously completed four years ago when United battled back from two goals down to overcome Juventus in that extraordinary semi-final in Turin.
Keane's statement will find plenty of agreement from anyone who saw the Champions League holders' clinical destruction of the English hopefuls when the home side produced a level of performance few have ever had the privilege to witness.
"This is the biggest challenge this team will ever face, there is no doubt about it," said Keane.
"You go back to Turin in 1999 when it looked as though we were out of it but this task is a lot harder. Not many people will expect us to go through but what a challenge. We have nothing to loseThey are brave words from an honest individual, who will also realise his time as a truly great player is drawing to a close as age and, more significantly, injury catch up with him.
The Cork man and midfield partner Nicky Butt decisively lost their battle with Claude Makelele and Flavio Conceicao, an unheralded duo in the most expensive team ever assembled.
It was just one of a series of personal duels which United failed to win against a team now overwhelming favourites to land a record 10th European title.
David Beckham's torture at the hands of Roberto Carlos now extends to four games and inquests into the defeat at United's Carrington training complex will be long and detailed.
Fabien Barthez's positioning for Figo's opener might be questioned, as will Paul Scholes' loss of possession inside his own half which was punished instantly when Zidane transferred the ball onto Raul, who slammed home his first of the night.
However, it was the way Figo tormented Wes Brown in the build-up to Raul's second strike, which gives a clearer indication of the inequality in talent. In the Premiership and in Europe as well to give the defender his due Brown is a composed figure, with enough pace, ability and strength to see off most opponents.
Last night he looked almost talentless, twisted and turned so often he must have felt he had embarked on a 90 minute corkscrew ride.
It is undeniably true that Manchester United are the richest club in the world. Clearly, what they do not possess are the best players.
And even if Peter Kenyon was prepared to stump up the £150million required to compete for the signatures of Figo, Zidane and Ronaldo, it is unlikely any of them would give a move to the Premiership even for a club as big as United more than a second thought before looking back to the warmer climes and less frenzied football of Spain and Italy.
Which leaves Fergusonwith the talent which is attracted to the delights of north-west England and to hope like hell he either avoids Real altogether or, when they do meet, there are enough players having off days to give his team half a chance.
For, as Keane conceded, the patience his manager had extolled in the build-up to last night's game had to be abandoned in a drastic attempt to stave off total humiliation.
"We deserve credit for the way we came back from 3-0 down against a top team like Real Madrid but I suppose you could also say we had nothing to lose," he said.
"At that stage, if you are going to go out of the tournament, you may as well lose four or five-nil.
"The goal we got gives us hope and something to play for and with a bit more care we might have had another.
"No doubt Real Madrid will be confident of scoring at our place and we know how tough it's going to be next time.
"They are a top team but this tie is still very much alive. Gary Neville was so bemused by Madrid's dazzling artistry that at times he felt he was trying to take on the Harlem Globetrotters.
"People will say we paid them too much respect and we were nervous but sometimes it's not about that," he said. "They played such wonderful football. They were passing it about and we couldn't get near them."
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