Champions League: We must improve to avoid Euro heartache, says Neville

Phil Neville believes Manchester United face a repeat of last season's European heartache unless they improve.

Neville claims United must step up a gear if they are going to win the Champions League this season.

He was speaking ahead of the clash against Panathinaikos in Athens.

Neville has been disappointed by United's overall performance in the first two group stages, even though they just need two points to qualify for the quarter-finals.

United missed the chance to book their place in the last eight when they conceded a late equaliser against Valencia two weeks ago and Neville feels they are under-performing.

He wants United to rediscover their best form against Panathinaikos on Wednesday and record the win that will ensure qualification.

"I think in terms of Champions League football, we need to improve to win the European Cup this year," said Neville, who is sporting a black eye following a collision in Saturday's draw at Leeds.

"If we play like we did against Valencia then we are not going to get much further than where we are now.

"We're not resting on our laurels and we know that we need to improve by at least 20% to win the European Cup.

"That starts against Panathinaikos. We need to start scoring goals away from home and winning matches away from home because that's probably the key to success in Europe."

United are determined to qualify against Panathinaikos, whom they have already beaten 3-1 at Old Trafford in November, after the disappointment of Valencia.

The Reds, who have a two-point lead in Group A, still have the cushion of a home match against Sturm Graz in their final game, but Alex Ferguson hopes they will not need it.

Skipper Roy Keane has recovered from his knee injury, while Paul Scholes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Mickael Silvestre and Denis Irwin should all shrug off knocks.

Ryan Giggs misses the match in the Spiros Louis Stadium because of his hamstring injury, while Nicky Butt is suspended.