Ferguson looking forward to home comforts

Alex Ferguson believes the “electric atmosphere” at Old Trafford next Tuesday can propel his Manchester United side into the Champions League semi-final.

Wayne Rooney scored a first-half goal at Stamford Bridge to give United a 1-0 lead against Chelsea after an all-English first leg which left the Londoners fuming at being denied an injury-time penalty.

Ferguson, however, believed justice was done even though television replays appeared to show Chelsea midfielder Ramires was brought down by Patrice Evra.

The United boss, however, was more concerned that United now continue a run of never having lost a European tie after winning the away leg first.

Ferguson said of the victory: “It’s an advantage, but the biggest advantage is Old Trafford. It’ll be an electric atmosphere.

“We have to be very careful and have to play a top performance, but the atmosphere will help us.

It’ll be a tight game at Old Trafford. I hope we get through Saturday’s game without any further injuries.”

United play Fulham on Saturday when midfielder Anderson, who plays in the reserves tonight, is set to return from injury.

Ferguson’s only concern at Stamford Bridge was seeing fullback Rafael being carried off with a knee injury, which forced Antonio Valencia to be pressed into service as a makeshift right-back.

In contrast Rio Ferdinand returned after two months sidelined by injury and, alongside Nemanja Vidic, gave United’s defence solidity.

Ferguson said: “We’ve had to make do with defenders most of the season, but we’ve somehow managed to get through that. With Ferdinand back, there’s evidence things will get better. The experience of Rio is fantastic. It was really important to get him back. The squad’s getting stronger.”

On the penalty claim Ferguson said: “I don’t feel guilty about that at all. It was a 50-50 from where I was and I don’t know what the contact situation was. It’s the first break we’ve had in seven years here.”

On Fernando Torres’s yellow card for tumbling in the penalty area in injury time Ferguson said: “He dived, he got booked for it.”

And when asked about the possibility of doing the treble to emulate his 1999 team, he said: “I’ve never thought about the treble. I said we’re in every competition and we’ll try our best. When you go out on that field, you have to win the game. That’s the attitude of Manchester United. We have to do that.”