BOYS TRIP LIGHT FAN-PLASTIC

them a real chance of upsetting Jose Mourinho and his galaxy of expensive stars in Switzerland on Wednesday.

Sow (right) said: “When you are used to playing on it, there is a big advantage. Manchester United are a big team and they have great, technical players but our pitch is not grass.

“I hope it will make a big difference but we will have to wait and see.”

Eight years ago, Young Boys stunned Tottenham in the Champions League qualifiers, racing into a 3-0 lead on the artificial pitch before Spurs pulled it back and secured a 6-3 aggregate win in the second leg. It’s a warning for United who have endured an erratic start to their Premier League campaign, losing to Brighton and Tottenham in their opening four games before yesterday’s clash with Watford.

Even without the plastic pitch, Sow reckons United will have a tough night with their passionate fans still on a high after winning their first Swiss title since 1986 last May.

“This is our first time ever in the Champions League so the atmosphere will be intense,” added Sow. “All the fans are looking forward to it because we are finally in there against a team like United, so it will be fantastic.

“It will be a big game in our own stadium. I’ve not been following much of United’s progress this season because I have been concentrating on the Swiss league where I am playing.

“We’re big underdogs but we will try to give our best. Nothing will beat the emotion of our title win, but it would be a historic game for us if we were to win against United.

“If they have been struggling so far this season it may give us more of a chance. But they have many quality players. I am sure they will feel the pressure to perform and show their class and we will do anything to give them problems.”

Young Boys are in a tough group with Juventus and Valencia as well as United. But Sow, 21, would rather be in with the big boys and sees it as a reward for their achievements.

“It is a hard group but I like it like that. I would rather have a group with great teams. You can learn a lot from games against these players.”