Defending European Champions will enter the first round of the knock out stages, with the first leg being played away from home at San Siro, which will no doubt be an advantage for the English side. United will hope to repeat their excellent premiership form in Europe, play solid in defence and in the middle and hit Inter where they least expect it and get one, or perhaps even two, of those vital away goals.

Ferguson will probably  field an unorthodox back four defensive line-up for Tuesday's nights clash in northern Italy. Nemanja Vidic is suspended, and Jonny Evans was injured during Saturday's 2-1 win over Blackburn. Moreover, the holders will be without Gary Neville and Wes Brown also through injury, while John O'Shea is in doubt with a sore heel.

In all, United embarked on their trip to the Boot with six defenders,  two of whom are nursing injuries.

The match will rekindle the rivalry between Ferguson and the Special One, Inter coach Jose Mourinho, who is probably feeling slightly precarious about meeting United in the first round of the knockouts.

Inter Milan's Argentine central defender Walter Samuel is not going to be in the starting line-up after missing the weekend's 2-1 victory over Bologna.

Alex Ferguson fully expects his players to be motivated for the clash at San Siro, believing Tuesday night's result will be key to the overall outcome of the tie.

The makeshift  Reds defence will have to cope as much as they can with Ibrahimovic, but Ferguson seemed optimistic for the tie nevertheless. He was quoted saying by the club's official website: "You're always intent in Europe to get that goal that means something really big when you get back to your own ground," he explained at his pre-match press conference.

"We still have the opportunity to take Inter back to Old Trafford with a good result. If we score an away goal it will give us a great chance."