It’s not over for United, pledges Veron

INJURED midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron is aiming to return for the second leg against Real Madrid, and is exuding confidence that the tie can still be won by United.

“Real Madrid might think it is over but it’s not. I promise our fans that we’ll still be in the final. The contest is not finished because every man in our squad knows the final is fixed at Old Trafford and we must be there at any cost,” the Argentinian said.

“There is no doubt that we can win 2-0 and put Real Madrid out of the tournament even though they are the European champions and we will be without suspended Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.

“Real were very good on the night but nobody should be fooled into thinking we are beaten.”

Meanwhile Ruud van Nistelrooy is remaining calm as he and his United team-mates enter the business end of the season.

The Red Devils travel to third-placed Newcastle on Saturday before taking on Arsenal at Highbury next Wednesday in a pair of games which could be crucial in the outcome of the Barclaycard Premiership title race.

A week after their trip to north London, United face Real Madrid at Old Trafford trying to claw back a 3-1 first-leg deficit in order to book a place in the Champions League semi-finals.

Van Nistelrooy netted the potentially vital away goal at the Bernabeu which gives United a glimmer of hope of repeating their 1999 triumph in the competition, and insists he is ready for more high-octane encounters before the end of the campaign.

“It’s the most important part of the season, with some massive games,” van Nistelrooy told the club’s official website www.manutd.com.

“But everyone’s ready for them. There will be no surprises, we know exactly what we need to do, we know the teams and all the players so that makes it good.

“What’s pressure? The important thing is playing well and trying to win games. That’s what we’ve been trying to do all season, and now isn’t any different.”

Meanwhile Newcastle defender Andy Griffin is begging Bobby Robson for a chance to lock horns with Manchester United superstar Ryan Giggs.

The tough-tackling 24-year-old full-back has made his name at St James’ Park by managing to shackle the likes of Giggs, David Ginola and David Beckham in the past, and is desperate for another chance to test himself against the Welsh wizard.

Griffin missed the 2-1 defeat at Everton on Sunday which effectively ended his side’s chances of lifting the title, but with a Champions League berth still very much within their grasp, he is eager to play his part in a crucial match.

The Newcastle faithful have become used to celebrating Alan Shearer’s emphatic finishing and the blistering pace of Craig Bellamy, Laurent Robert and Kieron Dyer, but as much as they enjoy the flair and excitement their side served up, they relish Griffin’s crunching tackles.

“Some people say that I’m usually put in against wingers like Ryan Giggs, David Ginola and Harry Kewell, but it’s not something I think about,” he said.

“I just want to play and, if that means marking Ryan Giggs, then fine. We’ve got to get stuck in and not give them too much respect. We need to harass them and keep our game as fluent as possible.”

“We’ve got to concentrate on the game against Manchester United now,” Griffin said.