ALEX FERGUSON is rather taken with the idea of making tonight's visit of Juventus to Old Trafford (Network 2, ITV, 7.30 kick-off) a flag day. So far as the Manchester United manager's Champions' League ambitions are concerned, Lifeboat Day might be more appropriate. The need for a rescue operation is urgent.
Because United fans who stand up and cheer are likely to be ejected, it is going to be interesting to see how many of them are able to wave flags to any great effect sitting down. But unless Ferguson's players improve on their performance against Fenerbahce three weeks ago, the chances of United becoming the first English club in 11 years to reach the quarter-finals of this tournament will be left at half-mast.
Fenerbahce became the first team in 40 years to win a European match at Old Trafford, but, historic though the result was, the record might have fallen earlier. Since 1990 United's home results have been unimpressive - seven wins, seven draws and that recent defeat.
Juventus may have won only once in nine visits to English grounds, but a draw seems the most likely outcome tonight. Twenty years ago the Italian club lost 1-0 at Old Trafford, and on their last visit, in April 1984, they drew 1-1.
This season they have already defeated United in Italy, and Alen Boksic's lone goal in the Stadio delle Alpi in September scarcely reflected the Champions Cup holders' superiority. Ferguson put United's poor first-half display down to his youngsters being overawed.
With 10 points from their four group C fixtures, Juventus are virtually through to the last eight. After this game, moreover, they will be flying on to Tokyo for the annual Toyota works outing, otherwise known as the World Club Championship.
So a draw tonight and no casualties for the coming encounter with River Plate would suit Marcello Lippi, the Juventus coach, and would not leave Ferguson entirely displeased. For even if Fenerbahce capitalise on their Old Trafford triumph by beating Rapid Vienna in Istanbul, they still have to visit Juventus in a fortnight, when United play Rapid in the Ernst Happel Stadium.
United know that four points from their remaining two games, giving them a total of to, would be enough. Fenerbahce might finish level, but in these circumstances results between teams are the prime consideration, and United have beaten the Turkish champions by the extra goal. In fact, avoiding defeat tonight might yet be enough to take United through.
Again much will depend on Ferguson's foreign policy, which in the Champions' League has brought him a surprising amount of criticism considering his unique domestic triumphs. His tactics, rather than his team selections, have come under fire. Like Eric Morecombe performing Greig's piano concerto, he has picked the right players though not necessarily in the right order.
Away to Juventus and at home to Fenerbahce, Ferguson attempted to keep everything tight and narrow, and lost both matches 1-0. A similar approach now would invite similar problems.
In Saturday's 1-0 victory over Arsenal, Giggs was revived after his recent calf injury, Cantona looked less like Joan of Arc tied to a stake up front, and, crucially, Schmeichel's confidence was restored. Butt managed to halt the surges forward of one Frenchman, Vieira, and tonight much will depend on Butt and Keane coping with two more, Deschamps and Zidane.
If United can get hold of the midfield, Boksic will be less of threat than he was in Turin, but it is a tall order.
Juventus will be without Pessotto and Conte, who are unfit.
