Moyes relishing Bayern contest

David Moyes is looking forward to taking charge of arguably the biggest game of his managerial career so far as Manchester United prepare to face Bayern Munich.

United’s form has been below-par in the Barclays Premier League but, aside from the first-leg setback in the last round against Olympiacos, there have been some strong performances in the Champions League.

That gives Moyes plenty of heart going into Tuesday’s quarter-final clash against the reigning European champions at Old Trafford.

"It's been a very good competition for us so far in my short time here," Moyes told a press conference on Monday. "I came into it very inexperienced in the Champions League but we've done well and now we've got the ultimate test in Bayern Munich.

"I think the pressure is equally balanced because we want to win the game as much as they do. We go into the game knowing, on our day, we are as good a side as any. We have to show it more often but I have got great belief in the players.

"I get the feeling all the players want to play. In training, their attitude suggests they all want to play in the big games. Over the years that is what they have all wanted to do."

Moyes has some defensive headaches ahead of the game, with Patrice Evra suspended and Rafael doubtful after coming off at half-time in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa.

But the manager said he would "seriously consider" picking Shinji Kagawa in midfield after his man-of-the-match display against the Villans.

"We have defensive issues, undoubtedly," Moyes said. "But I won’t be giving out my team today, certainly not to Bayern or you either, as everybody is well aware we will have to make one or two changes.

"Shinji is a really important player to us. We like him a lot and he gives us something different. He's certainly in our thoughts for tomorrow night's game."

Asked if he would instruct his United team to take the game to Bayern in the first leg, Moyes replied: "It's an obvious thing to say but it's a two-legged tie and we have to make sure both games are important.

"We’re mindful we want to go to Germany with every opportunity to go through so there’s always a bit of caution in the first leg. But we’d love to go to Germany with a win under our belts because it would set us up nicely.

"Bayern were a very good side last year and won the Champions League. They had a good team and have looked to add to that again this season. They have a new manager and we congratulate them on winning the Bundesliga.

"They are probably the side most people have looked to recently but we have to get a good result to take to Germany and we will try to do that."

From www.manutd.com