Barcelona exit would cost their stars £20m

Thierry Henry has been disappointing since his summer move from Arsenal and may not even get the chance to renew his old rivalry with United as he was forced to miss training yesterday because of a fever.

Henry is not the only player to have struggled at the Nou Camp this term.

Brazil play-maker Ronaldinho and Italy full-back Gianluca Zambrotta have disappointed, and Barcelona are trying to offload the pair to AC Milan, while frustrated striker Samuel Eto'o has announced that if the club don't win a trophy by the end of next season then he'll be off. Despite the crisis at the Nou Camp and the fact they are facing Europe's form team, midfielder Deco refuses to accept Barcelona won't knock out Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

"Manchester United are favourites, everyone says they will win but we simply don't care," said Deco.

"'I'm quite confident that we can impose our game on United and that we'll go through. There is pressure but the only thing weighing down on our shoulders is not financial nor that we have, sadly, slipped out of our own title race but that this is our shot at getting through to the final in Moscow."

Deco may be a rare voice of optimism but he does have some support from Johan Cruyff - surprising given that the Dutchman has criticised his former club's play this season.

"Barcelona will go through if they don't do anything stupid over the two legs," said Cruyff. "Despite all their failures in the league, despite the fact that they've literally tossed away their domestic chances, European football is a completely different beast for this club and I'm convinced that Barcelona will knock United out.

"Technically there is nothing to choose between the two sides. They have Ronaldo, we have Messi; United have Rooney and Barcelona have Eto'o.

"It's all going to revolve on which team can impose its style on the other. If Barcelona can dominate possession then I'm sure they'll be in Moscow next month."