wow..tough game

Ajax or Manchester United v Lokomotiv Moscow or Athletic Bilbao

Depending on the lineups, I don't think it is that tough of a draw. Then again, Ajax is no pushovers. An interesting meet up and a chance to see whether Eriksen

could perform in big games (in English soil). If vs. Bilbao, could watch Martinez. 

Lol hope they can give a good performance to attract SAF

"It's easier now it's out in the open. That was the big decision he had to make. We were trying to address the confidentiality part of it in a different way by talking about a virus but that was down to protecting Darren. He got to the position, particularly in Scotland, where there was more delving into why we kept talking about a virus, and I think he felt a bit uncomfortable about it. So he decided to make it public."

Sir Alex was asked if another midfield absentee means he will be forced into making a signing during the January transfer window.

"Not necessarily," he replied. "I don’t why people keep going on about that [buying in January]. It’s never been a route we’ve taken consistently unless a player that we’ve been interested in appears but there is no sign of that at the moment. So therefore it’s not always suitable to us.

"If you look at the options we have [in midfield] - [Phil] Jones has played a few games there, Ryan [Giggs] obviously can play there too and Ji [-sung Park] is capable of playing there too. There are maybe one or two other options - Darron Gibson is an option. He had an early season injury, but he has experience needed to play in central midfield. The options are not too bad.

"Young [Paul] Pogba is an option. He’s progressing very well. It’s one of these situations – unless there is a player we’ve been interested in for a while appears and you can get him, then there isn’t much point in bringing an individual in because it gives you another player.

"Pogba is a possibility. He’s a big strong lad, a good athlete. He's improving and developing well.

"Since he’s come to the club we’ve seen the progress he’s made and in terms of that youth team we had last year, six of them have all had a bit of experience of the first team this year. Of course, young [Ryan] Tunnicliffe is another member – he’s over at Peterborough – he’s playing Championship football at 18 years of age, so he’s doing very well.

"It’s a good group that – it’s turned out very well. Pogba physically is better than the rest of that group, maybe apart from Zeki Fryers who is a very good athlete."