Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is preparing to hit Dynamo Kiev with a classic counter-attacking punch tomorrow night.
United headed out to the Ukraine yesterday in confident mood following their 4-1 triumph over Aston Villa.
With the exception of a surprise Carling Cup loss to Coventry, when Ferguson played a second-string side, the Red Devils have now won nine matches on the trot, including their opening two Champions League encounters with Sporting Lisbon and Roma.
And, as tomorrow's opponents have started in exactly the opposite manner, failing to pick up a point from their first two outings, Ferguson feels Kiev will be forced into an attacking mode that will make it easier for his own slick forwards to pick them off.
'Kiev's defeats mean they will have to beat us, which is good,' Ferguson told Manchester United Radio.
'It means we can set out our stall to play counter-attack. We expect a tough game but our two wins mean we are in a good position.'
Once again, Louis Saha has been ruled out even though Ferguson was hopeful the injury-plagued French striker was in line to make the trip to the Ukraine despite missing the win at Villa Park with a long-term knee problem.
However, Saha has not made the Red Devils' travelling party, along with England duo Gary Neville and Owen Hargreaves.
There was some good news for United, though, with Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic fit to make the trip even though Ferguson remains unconvinced the former Spartak Moscow player will be available after suffering concussion during the Barclays Premier League win over Wigan immediately before the international break.
Ferguson is mindful of the fact United also won their opening three group games last season and were then forced to scramble through in their final match after losses against Copenhagen and Celtic.
And the Scot has not forgotten early exits in the previous three seasons, which is why he is determined the Red Devils should maintain their early momentum as they look to do better than their semi-final appearance last season.
'The name of the game is to win the group,' he said.
'We looked much like our usual selves in the second half against Roma last time and we will be looking to continue that in Kiev.'
Ferguson has taken no chances, getting his team to fly out a day earlier than they normally would to acclimatise on a trip where they are also accompanied by a dietician and two chefs.
'Dynamo Kiev have always been a difficult side to beat,' he said.
"They have also always been a club that has produced good young players.
'We drew 0-0 against them there a few years ago and they will be a handful again, that's for sure.'
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