A magical European night proves why Manchester United must never demolish Old Trafford

Perched high up in the Sir Alex Ferguson stand I experienced the fluctuating contrast of emotions only a European night at the Theatre of Dreams can conjure.

Drinking pre-match with United fans at the Trafford pub, the anxiety was palpable with even the most optimistic voices struggling to make a case for anything other than an away defeat.

All of the pre-match chatter in the bar at Hotel Football was about whether or not Michael Carrick would drop Lisandro Martinez as punishment for his head loss in the weekend defeat at Chelsea. As the line-ups began to filter through around 6.45, most were in favour of Martinez being replaced in the starting 11 by Ayden Heaven although many were disappointed not to see the likes of Harry Amass and Shea Lacey given their chance to shine.