Fergie has no problem with plastic

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has no concerns about the artificial surface for tonight's Champions League tie against CSKA Moscow.

United last night trained on the plastic pitch to be used for the Group B encounter at Luzhniki Stadium.

Ferguson admits CSKA do have a considerable home advantage but, after doing thorough homework on the opposition, is confident that can be overcome.

The Scot said: ‘We have analysed CSKA Moscow quite a lot in the last couple of weeks.

‘It is quite an interesting combination they have - mostly experienced players in the back four and younger players in the front line.

‘They are a good football team. They love to keep the ball down all the time and that has a lot to do with the pitch.

‘It is a true pitch and the ball will stay on the ground as long as you want to pass it there.

‘That way you can control the speed of the game.

‘On this particular type of pitch, if you start lifting the ball, that's when your problems start.

‘They're used to it. They've got the experience of playing on it which we don't, but the one advantage we've got is most of our players are good footballers.’

United are without a number of key players for the game in Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher, Patrice Evra and Park Ji-Sung.

Park is likely to be out for two weeks with a knee problem but Ferguson is hopeful the rest will be fit for Sunday's Barclays Premier League trip to Liverpool.

‘We are fighting to get Rooney ready, it is a bit of an uphill fight but we are trying,’ he said.

‘Giggs, it is difficult to say, Fletcher is maybe a slight doubt.

‘We are hoping to get the main players ready for Sunday because it is a big game.’

He added that Evra should definitely be fit.

Ferguson also dismissed suggestions that, given all the circumstances - including the team's 100% record in the group - he would be happy with a draw.

‘We will definitely try to win,’ he said. ‘It would put us in a fantastic position with nine points. That is the incentive for us.’

Yesterday's obligatory UEFA press conference was Ferguson's first appearance before the media since being charged with improper conduct by the Football Association.

The charge was brought in the light of comments made by Ferguson, allegedly questioning the fitness of referee Alan Wiley after a 2-2 draw at Sunderland on 3 October.

But the 67-year-old was in no mood to answer questions on the subject and cut the conference short when it was raised.

‘Silly question gets no answer,’ he said. ‘I'm not answering it.’

He then got up and left the room.