Gary Neville believes Manchester United need to exploit any weaknesses at the heart of Bayern Munich's defence but feels the reigning European champions remain the best team on the continent.
In a realistic appraisal of the Reds' chances of knocking out the favourites for this season's Champions League in an exclusive United Review column.
"I'd say, going into this game, we're hopeful rather than confident," he stated. "That's just being realistic – Bayern are at the absolute top of their game. You're talking about a team at the absolute peak of its powers, while Manchester United is in transition."
"I'd say, going into this game, we're hopeful rather than confident," he stated. "That's just being realistic – Bayern are at the absolute top of their game. You're talking about a team at the absolute peak of its powers, while Manchester United is in transition."
However, Arsenal caused problems for the Bundesliga winners in the previous round by unsettling Dante, Javi Martinez and Jerome Boateng at the back. Dante, who recently committed his future to the club, is suspended for the Old Trafford leg, which gives coach Pep Guardiola something to ponder.
"There's no avoiding the fact that this is the toughest draw United could have faced," Neville continues in Tuesday's official matchday programme. "I've seen a lot of Bayern in the last few years and they are rightly the favourites to win the competition again this season. For my money, they're the best team in Europe.
"Bayern are strong throughout the team but, if there is a weakness, the centre-backs don't like quick movement around them. If you can play quick one-twos around them, you might have some joy. Dante and Boateng are good centre-halves but it's the one area where you may perceive a weakness.
"Arsenal had some joy playing the ball in behind the centre-backs. When Arsenal did that, Bayern didn't look sure of themselves at all. It was the same when Arsenal played quick football around them. They caused Bayern problems and I think they can look a little fragile if you make runs forward and get right on top of them."
"Arsenal had some joy playing the ball in behind the centre-backs. When Arsenal did that, Bayern didn't look sure of themselves at all. It was the same when Arsenal played quick football around them. They caused Bayern problems and I think they can look a little fragile if you make runs forward and get right on top of them."