Arrasate prepared for ‘real’ United
United head into the contest against the Spanish outfit off the back of Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Southampton, which left the Barclays Premier League champions with a total of just 11 points from their opening eight top-flight fixtures this term.
It has been a difficult period for United boss David Moyes following his appointment as successor to Alex Ferguson over the summer, but Arrasate is not reading a great deal into that with regard to what might occur tonight.
“I don’t put too much faith in the fact that Manchester United are in the middle of a bad run,” Arrasate said.
“I think they have the sort of players who can react at any time and that are ready to put in a good performance at any time.
“Of course, it may be the influence of having a new manager. It takes time for changes to come about and to settle into new methods.
“Certainly I would prefer it if United continued their, as you put it, poor start to the season – that would be great tomorrow.
“But I think what we will see is a good version of Manchester United, the real Manchester United, and that is what we will be prepared for – a difficult game.”
Arrasate has no doubt his team need to get something at Old Trafford and believes they can do it, seeing the atmosphere at the ground as a potential bonus.
“We are coming to a legendary, almost mythical venue, but I think the atmosphere will lift us rather than have an adverse affect,” he said.
“The main thing is to try to get three points to help us try to get through to the next round.
“We have no points and need to get something tomorrow night. Every player needs to give 100 per cent and be on their very top form individually to give us a chance, and then maybe we can make a fist of it.”
Asked if United’s midfield might be an area of weakness for La Real to target, Arraste said: “Maybe they have not been as creative as in the past, but that doesn’t mean to say they can’t create difficulties and chances.”
United boss Moyes hopes Wayne Rooney can maintain his current form after some disappointing team results and performances this season, which the manager admits have been below par.
“We want to improve results, that’s obvious,” said Moyes.
“We want to improve on our performance too, we gave the ball away too much in our last game and we have to do better when we are in possession. We have had periods of good play but maybe not continuously, which is something we have been working on in training.”
Moyes confirmed that Belgium-born midfielder Adnan Januzaj has been added to the Champions League squad as a home-grown player and could make his debut in the competition.
Four key players were absent from United’s training session ahead of the match – Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley and central defenders Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, though Moyes said Welbeck and Cleverley had a chance of being fit.
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