Reds are mad for it!

MANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson wouldn't rule out a nine goal thriller at Old Trafford tonight in the Champions League quarter-final second leg -- and as long as his side are the victors, he's not bothered.

"We are used to hair-raising games. It could be 5-4 and it would not have me jumping off Barton Bridge, although it might put the thought into my mind," joked Ferguson who was in buoyant mood ahead of tonight's crucial clash after the first leg, at the Bernabeu, finished goalless.

The Reds boss expects an open game and more of the same from the Spaniards who created countless chances with keeper Mark Bosnich, Ferguson's only doubt, the hero in the first leg.

Ferguson is more than happy for Raimond van der Gouw -- who will be playing his seventh European game this season if he starts tonight compared with six for the Australian -- to deputise.

"Raimond has stepped in before. It's nothing new, he has great experience and I have no qualms about that whatsoever."

The main dangerman the defending champions could be facing is Spanish international Raul. He has scored seven goals in Europe this season -- Roy Keane has netted six -- and has found the back of the net 23 times in all competitions.

He reached a milestone of his 100th League goal at the weekend in the 1-0 win over Real Zaragoza which moved Real up to joint second spot in the Primera League, level on points with Barcelona and five points off the top spot.

This keeps Real on course for the treble -- the League, the Spanish Cup and of course Europe -- and, just to add to Real's statistics, they are unbeaten in their last five Spanish away trips. Brazilian free kick expert Roberto Carlos, with four goals in Europe this term and more than 50 caps for his country, missed the weekend's game but, as Sir Alex expected, he looks to have shaken off a knee injury.

Carlos will feel the wrath of the United faithful after slamming David Beckham as "not a player with speed or ability" after the first leg and Ferguson is hoping the winger will make the 27-year-old eat his words. If Real, the 1998 Champions League winners, learnt that about the Reds, then Ferguson says he's learnt one or two things about the Spaniards after the first encounter.

"We think we know certain things which can now help us -- hopefully," smiled the United boss.

The Reds players will certainly know about Real Madrid's "English" duo of Steve McManaman and Nicolas Anelka.

Former Liverpool favourite McManaman has never won in Manchester against United on his ten trips there.

"I haven't been too successful at Old Trafford," he understated.

Meanwhile, former Arsenal striker Anelka, the £25million star who walked out of Real at one point and ended up training alone, is back in the squad having played 20 minutes of last week's game and won the penalty which led to the only goal.

He is expected to play some part tonight -- probably a substitute. "I know enough about Anelka to be aware," said the Reds chief as the Frenchman, still only 21, scored four goals for the Gunners in six meetings with United. "We have got to concentrate and defend well."

Sir Alex knows if his side do this, he has got the fire-power up front, especially with Ryan Giggs and Beckham who he believes are in the best form. They have helped the Reds to 15 goals in their last three games.

"They have been fantastic in the last four weeks and I could not ask any more of them.

"Giggs has scored 11 goals in Europe from an inside left position and that is very good and Beckham has probably made about 30 goals in Europe in the last few years. His control and passing ability is of a really high standard."

They have to get past 18-year-old keeper Iker Casillas, who was third choice at the start of the season, but has claimed the number one spot and has not conceded a goal in 394 minutes of football.

With all this in mind, Ferguson expects the Manchester United supporters to be on the edge of their seats.

"It should be an absolutely marvellous match. I don't know if it's just the romance of the name or the tradition Real have got. They really are the standard bearers of European competition, and it's a pleasure to go into a quarter-final of a European tie against them," said the United boss.

"I think we are two great clubs with two great traditions who play the proper way.

"With these facts I don't think you can have anything but a really exciting match."

The two sides have met three times in Europe and which ever side won the encounter has gone on to lift the trophy.

Real, the most successful club of all time, are looking for their eighth European Cup success while Ferguson wants at least another to put his side among the greats in Europe.

"All the teams who have created European history have not just won it once, but gone on to win it two or three times. Real, Bayern, Ajax, the Liverpool team of the 80s, they've all done it," said Ferguson.