Wolfsburg vow to play United at own game

Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh has vowed that his team will take on Manchester United at their own game by going out to attack in Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Old Trafford.

While United have three European Cup titles, Wolfsburg are playing just their second match in the competition after winning the Bundesliga for the first time in their history last season.

Wolfsburg have begun their domestic campaign with three defeats in their opening seven matches and they sit seventh in the German top flight.

They started life in the Champions League with a 3-1 win over CSKA Moscow and even though Veh acknowledges United have far more experience in Europe?s top competition, he believes his side can spring a surprise.

Veh, who took over from Felix Magath in May, said: “Playing Manchester United is a special game. They’re a special club, they’ve played many times in the Champions League and we’ve played only a couple of games. It will be a very special game but we’re certainly not going to hide.

“I don’t lose sleep before games but we’re going to have to play a tight game and be well organised.

“Manchester United play a fast game and we’ll have to be wide awake for long balls and put in the hard work, not just in attack, but play tight patterns throughout the pitch.

“It’s impossible for me to say how the lads will play, whether they’ll be inspired or afraid.

“But we’ve got to be organised enough to play our own game and if we don’t, we’ll have major problems.

“We can?t wait until four or five goals have gone in to start playing.”

Wolfsburg captain Josue is doubtful with a knee problem and Veh admits that Obafemi Martins, who joined from Newcastle in the summer, faces a big task in breaking up his first-choice strike partnership of Edin Dzeko and Grafite.

He said: “We could play with three strikers or with two. It?s not easy with two competitors up front but he?s scored two goals, has settled in well and will be a valuable player for us.

“Last season the strikers scored 54 goals between them and that proved their ability up front and is quite an extraordinary achievement and Sir Alex Ferguson has recognised that.”

Defender Marcel Shafer said the Wolfsburg players were keen to show what they are capable of.

“Manchester United are favourites here so we’ve got nothing to lose but we want to take this opportunity to show what we can do compared to them,” the left-back said.