Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed that he is extremely anxious towards sealing the place in the knockout stages. United will be able to progress past the group stages with a win over Bayer Leverkusen, but it is easier said than done since the German team will be playing at home.

Further, they will also be coming into the encounter on a good run of form, which has seen them move into the second place in the Bundesliga table. They are undefeated in the last 13 matches at home, which will prove a major test for United.

United themselves come into this encounter after having not been beaten in the last 10 matches. During this period, they have also won against the likes of Arsenal. This has helped them mask a poor start to the season.

Even though they are yet to get into the top four of the Premier league table, they are only a few points off the top of the table, and you could be forgiven for having a cheeky bet on United battling for the title.

United could only draw the match against newly promoted Cardiff 2-2 after conceding a late equaliser. Questions will be asked about the defence that did not have Nemanja Vidic, who will probably miss this match as well.

“Nothing is given out now so it doesn’t matter what the table looks like now. As long as you are within touching distance, which we are, and we will continue picking up points, build up momentum, and hopefully push our way up the table. We aimed to win at Cardiff, that’s what we set out to do at the start of the day. On another day we would have scored more and had the game wrapped up before then anyway,” said Ferdinand ahead of the match.
Moyes will also be without Robin van Persie, who is struggling with a groin injury.