Ferguson can smell success

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident of success going into tonight's Champions League semi-final, first leg with Bayer Leverkusen at Old Trafford thanks to his team's fine form and the spirit in the dressing room.

United reached the last four courtesy of a 5-2 aggregate win over Deportivo La Coruna in the quarter-finals and it was the 2-0 win in the first leg in Spain that has left their manager in a bullish mood.

He said: "Our performance against Deportivo was the best for three years. It was phenomenal and since then there has been a very good feel about the place.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room has been good. I can smell these things. I know when it's right and it's very right at the moment."

Although United skipper Roy Keane, who has not played since suffering a hamstring strain against Deportivo three weeks ago, will definitely miss tonight's game, Ferguson is hopeful that the Republic of Ireland midfielder will be fit for the second leg in Germany next Tuesday.

Also missing tonight are Ronny Johnsen and Quinton Fortune, who have hamstring problems, and David Beckham, who has a broken foot.