MANCHESTER UNITED have warned Porto they are not ready to loosen their grip on the Champions League crown.
United go into tomorrow’s quarter-final second leg knowing no English side have beaten Porto at home in 12 attempts.
Alex Ferguson’s men were held to a 2-2 draw by the Portuguese side at Old Trafford last week.
But midfielder Michael Carrick insists the holders have a determination to win back-to-back Euro titles.
Carrick said: “We’re English and European champions and we don’t want to let either trophy go — we’re probably even more determined than we were last year to stay on top.
“There’s always a real determination for success and thankfully we’ve had that in recent years. But we want it again. We can beat anyone on our day, so we will go to Portugal with confidence and believing we can win.”
The last time United went to Porto five years ago they lost 2-1 and then drew 1-1 at home as they were dumped by Jose Mourinho’s team in the first knockout stage.
Boss Ferguson said: “They are a different proposition now with an introduction of Brazilian and Argentine players into their team.
“This has given them both a flair and toughness that is very much in evidence when they play at home.”
But despite their impressive home record against English teams, Ferguson is convinced they have their weaknesses.
He added: “Porto can have their off days. They lost on their own ground to Dynamo Kiev and were well beaten by Arsenal at The Emirates in this year’s competition.”
And, of course, after last year’s dramatic victory in the Moscow final, nearly all United’s players know what it takes to win in Europe.
England ace Carrick, 27, added: “You don’t consciously draw on past experience, it just develops.
“You know what to expect in certain situations and the things you didn’t do so well you try to put right this time round.”
United have not been at their best of late losing to Liverpool and Fulham in consecutive league games before scraping a late win over Aston Villa and then a draw with Porto.
Saturday’s away victory at Sunderland was hardly a classic performance, either.
The games are coming thick and fast with tomorrow’s Euro clash followed by an FA Cup semi-final against Everton at Wembley on Sunday, then Portsmouth at home in the league next Wednesday.
Carrick said: “It’s great to be playing Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday — you can’t wait for the big games to come and you just want to get out there and get the right result.
“This is the stage when you need to go out and get the job done and we’re determined to do that.
“As a team and a squad we’re getting better and becoming stronger.
“When you play in a great side it makes your job as an individual a lot easier.
“But I don’t mind who grabs the headlines — as long as we’re sitting with one or two trophies at the end of the season.”
United go into tomorrow’s quarter-final second leg knowing no English side have beaten Porto at home in 12 attempts.
Alex Ferguson’s men were held to a 2-2 draw by the Portuguese side at Old Trafford last week.
But midfielder Michael Carrick insists the holders have a determination to win back-to-back Euro titles.
Carrick said: “We’re English and European champions and we don’t want to let either trophy go — we’re probably even more determined than we were last year to stay on top.
“There’s always a real determination for success and thankfully we’ve had that in recent years. But we want it again. We can beat anyone on our day, so we will go to Portugal with confidence and believing we can win.”
The last time United went to Porto five years ago they lost 2-1 and then drew 1-1 at home as they were dumped by Jose Mourinho’s team in the first knockout stage.
Boss Ferguson said: “They are a different proposition now with an introduction of Brazilian and Argentine players into their team.
“This has given them both a flair and toughness that is very much in evidence when they play at home.”
But despite their impressive home record against English teams, Ferguson is convinced they have their weaknesses.
He added: “Porto can have their off days. They lost on their own ground to Dynamo Kiev and were well beaten by Arsenal at The Emirates in this year’s competition.”
And, of course, after last year’s dramatic victory in the Moscow final, nearly all United’s players know what it takes to win in Europe.
England ace Carrick, 27, added: “You don’t consciously draw on past experience, it just develops.
“You know what to expect in certain situations and the things you didn’t do so well you try to put right this time round.”
United have not been at their best of late losing to Liverpool and Fulham in consecutive league games before scraping a late win over Aston Villa and then a draw with Porto.
Saturday’s away victory at Sunderland was hardly a classic performance, either.
The games are coming thick and fast with tomorrow’s Euro clash followed by an FA Cup semi-final against Everton at Wembley on Sunday, then Portsmouth at home in the league next Wednesday.
Carrick said: “It’s great to be playing Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday — you can’t wait for the big games to come and you just want to get out there and get the right result.
“This is the stage when you need to go out and get the job done and we’re determined to do that.
“As a team and a squad we’re getting better and becoming stronger.
“When you play in a great side it makes your job as an individual a lot easier.
“But I don’t mind who grabs the headlines — as long as we’re sitting with one or two trophies at the end of the season.”