Soccer: Home record the spur for United
Both teams have qualified for the knock-out stages, but a win for United would allow them top Group E and avoid meeting another group winner in the last 16.
Ferguson, who confirmed England international Paul Scholes will start his first game since October 22 following injury, does not know how much of advantage that will be.
But he is determined to reverse their 2-1 defeat in Stuttgart earlier in the qualifying stage.
“Looking at the (other) groups right now, I couldn’t tell you who’s going to go through,” Ferguson said yesterday.
“It’s difficult to say. First or second might not even matter in some of the groups.
“Why I would like to win the game is because our home record is so good in the last few years and I want to maintain that.
“It’s essential the pride factor shows itself in games like this.”
The English champions are unbeaten in their last 15 home Champions League games, winning 12 of them.
Winger Ryan Giggs said: “It gives players confidence, winning the group. Every team that goes through will be a quality team so it may not matter who tops the group. But it matters to us and to the fans. We want to maintain that record.”
Scholes made his return from groin surgery as a substitute in United’s premier league win over Aston Villa.
United may need all their attacking options against a Stuttgart side that has conceded just three league goals all season in the Bundesliga, which they top.
“They are in a good position. We have to win the match and they will be hard to break down,” said Ferguson. “We can’t afford to go behind because it will be difficult to peg them back.”
VfB Stuttgart coach Felix Magath has everyone fit and available with the exception of Brazilian central defender Macelo Bordon, who is recovering from groin surgery.
The Bundesliga leaders, who beat United 2-1 in Stuttgart in October and have won their last four group games, extended their unbeaten run in the league to 15 games with Saturday’s 0-0 home draw with Hamburg.
“It is great to be able to play at Old Trafford without necessarily having to win,” said keeper Timo Hildebrand.
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