IF one suspected Manchester United had shed their inferiority complex about Real Madrid, Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane's comments last night banished such thoughts.

"We want Real to know they've been in a game," they both said, as if the result was of little consequence.

As long as we're competitive, they seemed to be claiming, then we'll be satisfied.

United could scarcely have been more accommodating when they stood back and admired Real's all-stars for 50 minutes in the Bernabeu a fortnight ago.

Yet they returned to England buoyed by what they perceived as a moral victory, adamant that Real would be on the rack at Old Trafford.

A 2-0 win tonight would take United into the semi-finals. But can one really see Real failing to score? After all, they have hit the net six times in their last two encounters with Ferguson's men. On both occasions, United were thoroughly outclassed.

Ferguson was bullish in the pre-match sparring yesterday, claiming that the absent Raul was Real's best player.

One can take it for granted that, had Ronaldo been unavailable, the Brazilian would have been described as the Spaniards' key man.

The same could be said about Fernando Hierro. Or Iker Casillas. Or even Steve McManaman. Ferguson's kidology is getting tiresome.

And never mind Raul's no-show tonight - the loss of Paul Scholes is a potentially mortal blow to United's Champions League aspirations. Reports of the England midfielder's demise in other publications have been greatly exaggerated. Take Gary Neville out of United's defence, and they look even more vulnerable than the backline that succumbed meekly in Madrid. There is always Ruud van Nistelrooy for United to pin their hopes on.

And, of course, David Beckham. After failing to get the better of Roberto Carlos in four previous encounters, now is the time for Beckham to prove his world-class credentials.

Certainly, he resembled a little boy lost in the Bernabeu, seemingly transfixed by the wondrous play that went on around him.

But some of United's players need to produce the performance of their lives to halt the Real Madrid juggernaut this evening.

An early goal for United would alter totally the complexion of the tie; if Real seize the initiative, the home fans can give up and go home. Ferguson admitted his team, especially his young defence, learnt a lesson in Spain.

And despite the United manager's bluster, it is difficult to foresee anything other than another master versus pupil exhibition tonight.