Fergie ready to roll out big guns

Manchester United will hit Bayer Leverkusen with their big guns blazing in a determined bid to clinch a Champions’ League top spot.

Although United have already qualified for the second phase, Alex Ferguson wants to go through in style by beating the side which knocked them out in last season’s semi-finals.

Leverkusen return to Old Trafford on Wednesday after a woeful season which has seen them slide down the Bundesliga, leaving Europe as their only hopes of success.

“Their league form has been terrible and you wonder if they will maybe try something different, perhaps using the opportunity to bring in younger players,” said Ferguson, whose own approach is clear-cut.

“We would like to win this match and I will put a side out to make sure we win it. I will certainly be playing a very strong side.”

That was not the case in United’s last Champions’ League outing when Ferguson called up several of his young players, and gave others who have not been regulars in the first team a run out against Maccabi Haifa.

The plan backfired with United losing 3-0, a result which has added to the importance of this week’s clash at Old Trafford even though Leverkusen have also claimed a qualifying place.

“It’s an interesting game and I wonder how they will approach it, but that doesn’t dismiss the fact that we want to finish top,” added Ferguson.

If United win the group they would go into next week’s draw as one of the top four seeds, avoiding three of the other section winners.

“Winning the group steers us clear of probably Real Madrid, AC Milan and Barcelona,” said the Old Trafford boss.

“While our experience over the years tells us it sometimes doesn’t matter, your main thought is to qualify for the quarter-finals. I think winning the group probably helps you do that bit.”