English champions Manchester United have a herculean task ahead of them as they square up against reigning European champions Bayern Munich on Tuesday April 1, 2014 in the first leg quarter final match.
The Bavarian club has been in super form this season losing just two matches of 44 games in all competition. The current Bundesliga champions retained their crown this season after a 3-1 win over Hertha BSC just last week. However same cannot be said of Manchester United who are about 11 points away from a the 4thplace EPL team.
United would be coming into this encounter riding on the back of a surprise 3-0 win against Olympiakos at Old Trafford after a 2-0 loss in their previous encounter. Dutch man Robin Van Persie scored a hat-trick that booked the Red Devils a quarter final ticket.
Mario Basler, the scorer of Bayern consolation goal in their 2-1 loss to United in 1999, told bundesliga.comthat in Tuesday’s encounter “Bayern are favourites”.
Reproduced below is the said interview…
bundesliga.com: The two teams meet again in Manchester on Tuesday. How much are you looking forward to the game?
Basler: Manchester United vs. Bayern München is a great match-up with a lot of history, but I think the result will be more clear-cut in favour of Bayern this year. I’m expecting them to win 
.
bundesliga.com: Could United still pose a threat to Bayern on account of the fact that they’re some way off the pace in the Premier League, allowing them to focus all their attention on the Champions League?
Basler: Manchester United are always a dangerous opponent. Every team that reaches the quarter-final is dangerous, but Bayern are still the clear favourites for me, even though United’s squad is strong.
bundesliga.com: What do Bayern need to watch out for against United?
Basler: Bayern will focus on their own game. A lot will depend on the form of the two teams on the day, but I don’t think Bayern will lose to United, not by any stretch of the imagination.
bundesliga.com: Is there any risk of Bayern underestimating United?
Basler: Not at all. Bayern are so consistent and don’t underestimate any opponent. They just focus on their own strengths.
Basler: Manchester United vs. Bayern München is a great match-up with a lot of history, but I think the result will be more clear-cut in favour of Bayern this year. I’m expecting them to win
.bundesliga.com: Could United still pose a threat to Bayern on account of the fact that they’re some way off the pace in the Premier League, allowing them to focus all their attention on the Champions League?
Basler: Manchester United are always a dangerous opponent. Every team that reaches the quarter-final is dangerous, but Bayern are still the clear favourites for me, even though United’s squad is strong.
bundesliga.com: What do Bayern need to watch out for against United?
Basler: Bayern will focus on their own game. A lot will depend on the form of the two teams on the day, but I don’t think Bayern will lose to United, not by any stretch of the imagination.
bundesliga.com: Is there any risk of Bayern underestimating United?
Basler: Not at all. Bayern are so consistent and don’t underestimate any opponent. They just focus on their own strengths.
I totally agree Bayern are the favorites at the moment. They are simply the best team in the world but like United showed in 1999, we have a chance and I won't be surprised if we shock Bayern Munich and go through over the 2 legs.
David Moyes on March 19 was quoted as saying: "we can win the Champions League." Here is a good opportunity for him to prove that. While United may not be favourites in this encounter, but should we lose, we’ll take solace in the fact that we lost against the best team in Europe.
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