Fergie's Porto pop proves just what's at stake

'They beat Stuttgart 2-0, they beat Rangers 3-0 and they beat Panathinaikos 5-0. They have 65,000 people behind them and a very powerful team. They have everything. So why are they afraid? Is it because they have to beat us? I don't need to say stupid things or speak about cheating, or falling down, or referees. I speak only about football.

'If they beat us 3-0 they won't be talking about this cheating business then. This comes from results. That's what it's about.'

United played poorly in Portugal and a similar display will see them fail to reach the last eight for the first time in eight seasons.

Ferguson is still angry about the part keeper Vitor Baia played in getting Roy Keane sent off in the first game, along with what he saw as theatrical behaviour from other players.

He spoke of the need for a strong referee after the last match and he is satisfied with the appointment of Russian official Valentin Ivanov for tonight's game.

But Fergie still took a swipe at Mourinho, saying: 'I read Porto apparently want a good referee. They always seem to want referees to help them. But, in my opinion, he's an experienced referee and I'll let him get on with his job.

'This game requires a European performance from us, which we did not get in the first game. The most important thing is that we impose ourselves. If we don't do that then we won't get through.'

Ferguson will be without the suspended Keane but will welcome back Gary Neville, suspended from domestic games, and perhaps Mikael Silvestre.

Neville partnered Wes Brown in the centre of defence in the first leg and was not impressed by what he witnessed. He said: 'Having watched the first game again on TV, I was amazed at some of Porto's antics - rolling over three or four times and the like.

'I'm not saying they were not fouled, but they were supposed to be men who we were playing. They were rolling around as though they had been shot. Real men shouldn't act like that.'