Home
Edwin van der Sar has told skysports.com he is optimistic Manchester United can see off Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
The Red Devils are set to welcome Jose Mourinho's men to Old Trafford on Wednesday for the second leg of their last-16 encounter.
The two sides drew 0-0 in the Giuseppe Meazza a fortnight ago, with United spurning the better of the opportunities on the night.
Despite failing to make their dominance count on Italian soil, Van der Sar insists Sir Alex Ferguson's men are in confident mood as they look to take another step towards defending the crown they claimed on a dramatic night in Moscow last year.
"We had a few chances in the first half (in the first leg) and it would have been nice to score one of those and be ahead," the Dutch keeper told skysports.com.
"We are not disappointed though. We just have to show the same attributes we showed in Milan when we head back to Old Trafford."
With the tie still all square, United must tread a fine line between their desire to force a breakthrough and the need to avoid conceding what could prove to be a decisive away goal.
Van der Sar admits the Red Devils must proceed with caution, but accepts a certain amount of risk is required in order to claim a match-winning result.
Attack
"There is a fine line and as a goalkeeper you always want to be a bit more defensive than the midfielders and strikers," he said.
"The manager is also aware that it is important not to concede, but we have to score. There is a need to attack.
"We have to be positive when the time is right, but be aware of their qualities also."
United will be looking to stretch their record-breaking unbeaten run in Europe to 21 games, with Van der Sar having been fortunate enough to be part of two sides to enjoy such dominance in continental competition.
"I was with Ajax when we went 19 games unbeaten in Europe, so I have broken that record twice now," he said.
"It is a fantastic achievement and reward for the team. We have had many tough matches - Lisbon, Barcelona and Lyon.
"Hopefully we can keep it going and get to another final. It is important not to look too far ahead though. We could draw 2-2 with Inter, stretch the unbeaten run, and go out of the competition."
The Red Devils are set to welcome Jose Mourinho's men to Old Trafford on Wednesday for the second leg of their last-16 encounter.
The two sides drew 0-0 in the Giuseppe Meazza a fortnight ago, with United spurning the better of the opportunities on the night.
Despite failing to make their dominance count on Italian soil, Van der Sar insists Sir Alex Ferguson's men are in confident mood as they look to take another step towards defending the crown they claimed on a dramatic night in Moscow last year.
"We had a few chances in the first half (in the first leg) and it would have been nice to score one of those and be ahead," the Dutch keeper told skysports.com.
"We are not disappointed though. We just have to show the same attributes we showed in Milan when we head back to Old Trafford."
With the tie still all square, United must tread a fine line between their desire to force a breakthrough and the need to avoid conceding what could prove to be a decisive away goal.
Van der Sar admits the Red Devils must proceed with caution, but accepts a certain amount of risk is required in order to claim a match-winning result.
Attack
"There is a fine line and as a goalkeeper you always want to be a bit more defensive than the midfielders and strikers," he said.
"The manager is also aware that it is important not to concede, but we have to score. There is a need to attack.
"We have to be positive when the time is right, but be aware of their qualities also."
United will be looking to stretch their record-breaking unbeaten run in Europe to 21 games, with Van der Sar having been fortunate enough to be part of two sides to enjoy such dominance in continental competition.
"I was with Ajax when we went 19 games unbeaten in Europe, so I have broken that record twice now," he said.
"It is a fantastic achievement and reward for the team. We have had many tough matches - Lisbon, Barcelona and Lyon.
"Hopefully we can keep it going and get to another final. It is important not to look too far ahead though. We could draw 2-2 with Inter, stretch the unbeaten run, and go out of the competition."
