Bayern are favourites but United aren’t underdogs -Giggs

Holders Bayern Munich are the favourites but Manchester United do not consider themselves to be underdogs for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Old Trafford today, according to Ryan Giggs.

The clash of two of Europe’s biggest clubs will forever revive memories of their epic 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona when United scored twice in stoppage time to beat the German side 2-1.

Bayern won on their last trip to Manchester when they beat City 3-1 in a group match in October and a repeat of that scoreline would almost certainly set up Pep Guardiola’s team to reach the last four.

But Giggs, who played in the final 15 years ago, remains confident of a United success against opponents who wrapped up the Bundesliga title last week.

“Obviously Bayern are a fantastic team,” said Giggs, who will move to within one of Raul’s record total of 142 Champions League appearance if he plays today.

Now player-coach at Old Trafford, the 40-year-old Welshman told reporters: “They’re the holders and Pep Guardiola’s taken over and added a few new players and they’re a very strong team.

“They’re obviously favourites in most people’s eyes but we’re Manchester United at Old Trafford and we’ve seen so many good nights there, in Europe especially.

“So as players we don’t see ourselves as underdogs, we see ourselves as Manchester United playing at home in the Champions League.”

TODAY’S FIXTURES Barcelona v Atlético Madrid Manchester United v Bayern Munich