The return leg + young players.

Great game last night. Wonderful performances from our young lads who all came through what Sir Alex described as an "acid test". I firmly believe that this was a huge step in the development of players like Welbeck and Evans, who now have done it at the very highest level possible. Evans for me has had/is having a season where he makes the final transition from young player to key member of the squad. I no longer worry about us defensively when Vidic is not available. Yes we lose something, but Evans is more than capable as his deputy or partner.

Danny Welbeck was excellent, but I don't think he proformed above the ability that he's shown us he's capable of before. At 17, 5 years ago, he made his debut and scored from 30 yards with a wonder strike. His technique and talent on the ball are splendid and it's obvious to me that he is our most versatile forward - that's been the whole point of utilising him in a different way this season. He's going down the path to becoming a complete forward, and having scored our only goal and ben man of the match away to Real Madrid in the biggest club competition in the world, I think it's safe to say he's a very very good player.

On to the return leg then. We have the advantage, but it's the slimmest possible advantage. 1 away goal in a 1-1 draw. What it does is puts pressure on Real to attack us at OT, where we always, always score goals. This would mean that Real have to score 2 against us at minimum to go through. But what it also means is that, even if we take the lead in the game, their mission does not change. They know they'll need to score goals at OT, and that trying to nick a goal and defend it against us is suicide. They cannopt afford to run that risk given the situation they are in. Mourinho cannot afford and will not allow his side to go out on a whimper, so they will come and attack. This is our biggest advantage.

Had the first leg finished 2-1 to Madrid, WE'D HAVE to go after them, and they could counter. As it is, THEY HAVE to go after us, and we can utilise the counter with a lot more comfort. Of course, we will attack them. Considering they have two games against Barcelona before they play us, they will be tired, and will not look forward to playing on our sorry state of a pitch as it currently is. We will be able to press them, play the ball as we like to do and push them around the field with our passing game, with the ever present danger of our forward line ready to pounce. As the game goes on, we will be able to move players, mainly forwards, wide to stunt their attacking intent from the full back positions and limit the supply to there danger men. As for Madrid, they will want the game to be as open as possible to increase the chances of getting goals. It is likely then that we will see them line up with Di Maria on the left and Ronaldo on the right, giving their play a natural broad style and allowing their midfield players space to press in to, while keeping our fullbacks as far away from our midfielders and defenders as possible.

I could go on about the tactic's that are probable to be employed, but I'll leave that for now, I suppose then that, barring injury to our players and theirs, the line up's will be,

--------------De Gea---------------
Rafa-----Evans-----Vidic-----Evra
-------Cleverley-----Carrick-------
--------------Kagawa--------------
------Rooney-------Welbeck------
------------van Persie-------------

with Rooney and Welbeck dropping in to the wide positions when required and to assist the fullbacks with Real's wing play, and Kagawa operating from a position in the hole, harrying and hustling the Real holding midfielders.

Madrid will utilise their favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, but with ronaldo and Di Maria taking up the opposite wings to normal to keep the game as spread as possible from as early as possible.

------------Diego Lopez------------
Arbeloa--Ramos--Pepe--Coentrao
-------Khedira------X.Alonso-------
Ronaldo--------Ozil--------DiMaria
--------------Benzema--------------

As for the substitutions, United's key players on the bench will be Jones, for extra solidarity, Valencia, for a tactical change in the 2nd half, either to press further or force Madrid to attack through the middle and Hernandez to bring on as a deadly goal threat should the need arise. Madrid's key players on the bench will be Higuain, for another attacking option if they need another goal, as well as their defensive players like Essien and Varane to shor up and stabalise their defence and midfield if they have a lead in the tie.

All in all it really does look like a phenomenal European tie, a tactical warzone, and a stage for 2 of the very best to prove their quality.

I cannot wait.