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Ferreira backs Porto to end United reign

  • Story Highlights
  • Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira is backing his side to beat Manchester United
  • Holders United were held 2-2 at home in Champions League last eight 1st leg
  • Ferreira's Portuguese champions have never lost at home to an English club
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(CNN) -- Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira is backing his side to complete Manchester United's misery by eliminating the holders in Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal return.

Porto coach Ferreira expects his side to reach the semifinal of the Champions League against the odds.

Porto coach Ferreira expects his side to reach the semifinal of the Champions League against the odds.

Ferreira says there is no way he would want to change places with United counterpart Alex Ferguson as the sides resume hostilities following the 2-2 first leg draw at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese champions have never lost a home tie against an English club and Ferreira is confident they can go on to face either Arsenal or Villarreal for a place in the Rome final.

"There is no way I would swap places," Ferreira told PA Sport. "I like my team and I don't feel any pressure.

"We need to control the game and to do that we need to control our emotions.

"Manchester United are the best team in the world but last week we proved they were only human and we aim to do the same again."

Porto caught United off guard with their flying start and might have had the entire tie wrapped up if they had taken their chances and not gifted Wayne Rooney an equaliser.

Ferreira cannot promise an exact repeat but assured Ferguson his team will not be playing for a goalless draw that would take them through, as it did in the previous round against Atletico Madrid.

"We will not change, no matter what the circumstance," said Ferreira. "There is no other way for us to play than how we did last week and I would never tell my team to operate below capacity just to achieve a draw."

Attacking trio Hulk, Lisandro and Cristian Rodriguez caused United's defense big problems last week, suggesting Ferguson will be thankful to have Rio Ferdinand available after a recent groin injury.

Ferdinand missed last week's home draw with a groin injury suffered on international duty with England and United hope he will be fit enough to partner Nemanja Vidic in central defence.

Brazilian full-back Rafael da Silva also made the journey, along with fellow countryman Anderson, giving Ferguson all the options he wanted as United try to keep a grip on their trophy.

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