Champions League: Marcos anticipates tough task

Nantes boss Angel Marcos believes tonight’s Champions League meeting with Manchester United at Old Trafford will be ‘‘11 men against 70,000’’.

The French side narrowly missed out on a surprise win over the Premiership champions last week when Ruud van Nistelrooy converted an injury-time penalty to earn United a share of the points.

Nantes are bottom of Group A with only one point and their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals are remote, but Marcos is determined to fight on even if it is only for pride’s sake.

‘‘I am expecting difficult times at Old Trafford,’’ he said.

‘‘And even if I have been satisfied with my team over the past few weeks, our chances are small.

‘‘But we will do all we can to display a good performance. This match will, however, see 11 men play against 70,000 people.’’

The Nantes defence, deprived of Nicolas Gillet (calf), Nicolas Laspalles (thigh) and Mario Yepes (suspended), can expect a hard time from one of the most successful attacks in the Barclaycard Premiership.

Ferguson’s men have scored 66 times this season while Nantes have conceded 32 goals in 26 French Championship matches.

But last week’s hero Mickael Landreau, who kept United at bay with a string of fine saves, wants to remain positive about his side’s chances.

‘‘We have not travelled to Manchester to behave like tourists, but to grab a result,’’ he said.

‘‘Our main priority is to remain great competitors.

‘‘I am eager to play in a different stadium and in a different atmosphere.’’

His team-mate, midfielder Olivier Quint, added: ‘‘I am a great fan of English football and the English public, we are here to make the most of it and win even if we do not believe in miracles.

‘‘We know it will go fast and if we are solid in defence we maybe will disturb them. The key will be to be very aggressive.’’