Buttner - "I am ready for you Robben"

Two Dutchmen will go head-to-head on the flank during United's clash with Bayern, and Buttner is keen to ensure he is the man to come out on top.

Alex Buttner has sent a message to 16-goal fellow Dutchman Arjen Robben - “I am ready for you.”

A one-match European ban for Patrice Evra has opened the door for the Reds’ 25-year-old deputy left-back to quell the menace of Bayern Munich winger Robben.

Robben destroyed United’s Champions League ambitions in 2010 with a tie-winning sensational volley at Old Trafford in the quarter-final.

The 30-year-old was the 2013 Champions League final man of the match and was Bayern’s goalscoring trophy winner against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

But after warm ups against West Ham and Aston Villa in the Premier League Buttner insists he’s ready for the challenge against his fellow Dutchman.

“I am looking forward to playing against Bayern. I have played two games now and I am starting to get a good feeling because I thought I played well against West Ham and Villa,” said Buttner.

“It is a big game but it is a chance for me to show what I can do. It is the kind of game you dream about. It will be one of the biggest games I have ever played in. It has been vital for me to get the two matches because it would have been difficult not to play and that to have to face a big game like Bayern. I probably still need a bit more but two games should be okay. After that I hope I can get even more matches.

“I feel confident about playing them. I know what Arjen Robben can do and I am ready for him. I have watched him so I know how he plays. I’ll do everything I can to stop Arjen Robben and help the team get a win at home.

“I have never played against him before and I haven’t watched videos or anything like that to study him but I know enough from what I have seen to know how he plays the game. It is not under discussion how good he is! We all know that.

“It’s going to be a tough day. He’s very good one against one, especially when he comes inside. I have to focus on that game and be confident in my own quality. I know I can get the better of him.

“This kind of big game is why you play football. It is what it is all about. It would be good for my career if I could do well against Robben. I want to do well against him. In the last two matches I have played well put in some good challenges and I hope I will build on that not just Bayern but after that as well. But I am focussed 100 per cent on Bayern now and I am ready.”

Evra had reduced Buttner’s game time to just six starts this season before his promotion against West Ham as preparation for the Frenchman’s absence.

But he said he is always ready for the nod from manager David Moyes and adds that Evra has been a huge help to him.

“Of course it’s hard when you’re not playing. I’m a footballer and I want to play every week,” he added.

“Every player wants to play every week but if you don’t train hard in between then you are doing no good for yourself you won’t play well when you get your chance. I train 100 per cent for myself and for the team.

“I just have to wait. There’s another left back here and he’s good as well. You can’t just put Patrice Evra on the bench. He helps me every day and I appreciate that. He’s been in football for many years and I’ve only been here for two years. In England it’s difficult football and he’s helped me a lot.”