Beware of The Hulk

ALEX FERGUSON has told his Manchester United players: Beware of The Hulk.
The Old Trafford boss has pinpointed Porto’s forwards as a huge test of his side's Champions League credentials.

Fergie was unable to call upon centre-back pairing Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic for the 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

And the Portuguese champions are next up at Old Trafford tomorrow in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

While Vidic will return from suspension, Ferdinand is still touch and go with a back injury.

And after doing his homework, Ferguson admits Porto's South American duo Hulk and Lisandro will provide the main threat.

He told ESPN: “I’ve been watching the videos the last couple of weeks and they’re very difficult to play against in their own ground — they have a terrific record there.

“It goes down to the first leg. Hopefully we can get a two-goal lead. If we get a two-goal lead it gives us the best opportunity without question.

“And we need that. Looking at their home record and how difficult they are to play against on their home ground I think we’re going to need that two-goal lead.

“Hulk played in both games I saw — on the right hand side the first time and through the middle in the second.

“He is a left-footed player, a big powerful lad with good pace and very, very strong.

“I think he and Lisandro the centre forward are both very important players.”

Ferdinand and Vidic were among six first-team regulars missing at the weekend, with Ferguson's squad stretched to the limit.

But the 67-year-old claims he does not know his best line-up anyway, preferring to keep a horses-for-courses policy.

He added: "It’s true to say that I don’t look upon things as having a first team.

“I could probably pick the best 11 players but not necessarily in the right positions — and that’s maybe easier than picking the right team than for a particular big game.

“You’d have to give a lot of thought as to what team was going to win the game and that involves tactics, which in turn involves who your opponents are.

“And that’s where difficulties arise in saying what your best team is.