I am ridiculously nervous ahead of Wednesday night. I am usually nervous, yet quietly confident before these big games but today, Monday afternoon, I am solely the former. I thought we would beat both Chelsea and Liverpool in the last week, and having taken the lead in both games, and twice at Anfield, we contrived to let it slip. I would not be surprised if we repeat the trick again come Wednesday, and in the second leg.

The thought of Gibbs up against Ronaldo or Rooney, given how impressive that pair were for the second half at least on Saturday, petrifies me. Sagna looked far from fresh at Anfield, and I’m not sure whether or not he will start. I’m hoping Wenger goes for Djourou ahead of Silvestre, as I really rate Djourou and see him as the clear third choice central defender. There is no Arshavin, which given his sublime form since his arrival is a massive blow for us. He is the type of big game player that we have so few of in our squad, and his absence alongside that of Van Persie could prove decisive.

Almunia, Cesc and Kolo have the experience and know how to deal with these kind of games. That, compared with Van Der Sar, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Scholes etc etc, certainly reflects better on United. Adebayor’s brief cameo did little to inspire confidence in his passion for the club, but having said that, he is capable of conjuring the majestic out of nothing, as he showed at Villarreal. The difference in class between him and Drogba was evident for everyone to see at Wembley, and up front on his own, I just feel that Ferdinand and Vidic will be able to deal with him.

This makes it crucial that Samir Nasri has a good game. I absolutely love Nasri. I think he puts 100% in every single game, and that he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. It’s his first season in English football having come from France and we all know from the past that it is not always easy to settle in straightaway particularly in the position he plays, as illustrated by Pires. Nasri has shown he can play forward or sit back in recent weeks, and though Arshavin and Cesc have been grabbing the headlines, it is Nasri’s quiet efficiency and skill that has stood out for me. He gets goals and assists and you can tell he is really grateful for the opportunity and life he has. His attitude, as far as I’m concerned is the best in our squad, there is no petulance or selfishness, he’s an endearing, honest football player. Him and the resurgent, and equally well mannered Walcott hold the key if we are to get anything from Old Trafford. Given our defence at the minute, we aren’t going to be keeping a clean sheet, making it even more vital that the young lads grab an all important away goal, or two, or three, or four…

I was reminded recently how miserable our record under Wenger, in the Champions League and Europe in general used to be, struggling past the likes of AIK Solna, and losing to Lens, PAOK Salonika, and Borussia Moenchengladbach. So we can be grateful at least that those days are long gone, and with them are the talents of Stefan Malz, Igor Stepanovs and Nelson Vivas. Every cloud…