MANCHESTER - Sir Alex Ferguson is banking on Manchester United chalking up another important milestone and advancing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday.
Victory over Lyon will see his side equal Juventus' record in the competition of 10 straight home victories in the competition.
The match is finely balanced after the first leg in France finished all square at 1-1.
United breezed past Sporting Lisbon, Dynamo Kyiv and Roma this season at home.
That gave them a firm foothold in the group stages and they finished first in style.
Asked why United are so formidable at Old Trafford in Europe against top teams, Ferguson replied: "We have been good."
He added: "Our home record in European football has been the foundation of our group successes.
"I have said it many times you need ten points to qualify. If you get three home wins it is a big help. It means you only need a point on the road.
"The atmosphere at Old Trafford helps. There is a big stimulant for the fans to come to European nights.
"The players also increase their expectation levels to do well in these games."
Lyon extended their lead at the top of the French League at the weekend when they defeated Lille in front of a record French crowd of 78,000 at the Stade de France and Ferguson expects a difficult game.
"There is still work to do," said the United boss. "Lyon have to score and it could be interesting.
"They will try and play attacking football. But we have the bonus of scoring an away goal and played better in the first leg than was suggested. It was not a bad performance."
Ryan Giggs is Ferguson's only doubt ahead of the match as he is struggling with a calf problem.
The Welsh winger has been hampered by the injury since the first leg against Lyon.
Ferguson said: "The knock he took in the Lyon game has proved to be a bit more complicated than we first thought.
"He did a bit in training this morning but he is still doubtful for the game."
Giggs is unlikely to be risked but Serbia defender Nemanja Vidic looks set to return to the side.
He trained today following a similar injury to Giggs and looks likely to resume his partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the back.
United are still in with a chance of winning the treble for the first time since 1999.
And Ferdinand believes there is enough quality in the squad to cope with the Champions League, Barclays Premier League and FA Cup.
He said: "You do not deserve to be here if you haven't got that winning mindset.
"We are in a decent run of form and hopefully we can take that into Europe.
"Not many players have the opportunity to play in a Champions League final never mind win it.
"The club have brought in some very good players and added to the squad.
"Hopefully we will be in with a shout but we will respect our opponents tomorrow. To get to this stage you have to be a good team."
United went out to eventual winners AC Milan last season and that still hurts, according to Ferdinand.
He said: "We had a great opportunity to be part of the final at least but that did not happen.
"We want to change that. We feel we have the talent, the numbers and the desire to do well in this competition.
"But there is still a lot of football to be played before we can win this trophy. We know that."
