MUFC
25-09-2006, 02:11 PM
Manchester United will be out for revenge against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League, according to Rio Ferdinand.
United slumped to a 2-1 defeat in last season's competition, which put an end to The Reds' proud record of reaching the knockout stages of the competition.
Having made a strong start to the new campaign in Group F, with a 3-2 victory over Celtic at Old Trafford, Ferdinand admits the players will be motivated by more than just the three points on Tuesday night.
"To go out at that stage in the Champions League was very disappointing," Ferdinand told Sky Sports News.
"You want to be playing in the latter stages of any tournament and the Champions League is the biggest, so we'd like to play in the latter stages of that.
"Last season was disappointing when we played there, this season we are going out to rectify that.
"We know there's not much more the manager can say to make us want to go over there and do a job.
"Losing to any team, it hurts you, but we've got an opportunity to rectify that now."
The team's results have also dipped in the last two games, taking just one point from a possible six against Arsenal and Reading in the league, and the team will be anxious to bounce back against the Portuguese giants.
United slumped to a 2-1 defeat in last season's competition, which put an end to The Reds' proud record of reaching the knockout stages of the competition.
Having made a strong start to the new campaign in Group F, with a 3-2 victory over Celtic at Old Trafford, Ferdinand admits the players will be motivated by more than just the three points on Tuesday night.
"To go out at that stage in the Champions League was very disappointing," Ferdinand told Sky Sports News.
"You want to be playing in the latter stages of any tournament and the Champions League is the biggest, so we'd like to play in the latter stages of that.
"Last season was disappointing when we played there, this season we are going out to rectify that.
"We know there's not much more the manager can say to make us want to go over there and do a job.
"Losing to any team, it hurts you, but we've got an opportunity to rectify that now."
The team's results have also dipped in the last two games, taking just one point from a possible six against Arsenal and Reading in the league, and the team will be anxious to bounce back against the Portuguese giants.