Madrid, Nov 5

Real Sociedad coach Jagoba Arrasate believes a win at home to Manchester United in the Anoeta Stadium Tuesday night will mean his side's chances of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League will remain alive despite losing their first three matches in the group stage.

The Basque side has paid for their inexperience among the best sides of Europe, losing 2-0 at home to Shakhtar Donestk, but they have also been unlucky in losing 2-1 to a last minute free kick away to Bayer Leverkusen and a first minute own goal in Old Trafford, reported Xinhua.

However, three wins and a draw in their last four league games have revived Real Sociedad's fortunes in recent weeks and speaking to the press ahead of Tuesday's match Arraste reflected that rediscovered confidence.

"If we can win on Tuesday, then we are still alive and kicking. If we are able to play our best football then we can beat Manchester United, but we need to have the initiative, attack them and stop them getting the ball forward quickly," he said. 

The game will be sold out with some fans camping overnight in order to buy the last tickets that were put on sale and the coach expects an impressive atmosphere in the 32,000 capacity Anoeta stadium. 

"The fans have been waiting for this game for a long time and it will be special for us all to play in Anoeta against this team," said Arrasate. 

Meanwhile, his opposite number, David Moyes has had a difficult start to his time with the reigning English champions after replacing the legendary Sir Alex Fergusson, but although he has never coached in the group stage of the Champions League he believes his squad, which includes veterans such as Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, have played in Europe enough times to know what to do. 

"They are used to this kind of game and you notice that on the pitch. We need a win in order to get to 10 points in the group," stressed Moyes, who was accompanied by Spanish goalkeeper, David de Gea, who knows all about playing in Anoeta after his time with Atletico Madrid. 

"It is really nice to come back to play in a ground like this. They have great fans who get behind their team and they will look to cheer them on and help them play well and try to beat us," he said. 

"We want to win on Tuesday and continue the good form we've shown in Europe so far. We know that if we get the three points we'll have one foot in the knockout rounds, but it won't be easy. Real Sociedad showed they are a strong side in Old Trafford," he warned.

By:IANS