AGAINST Barcelona in the first leg and at Chelsea, Alex Ferguson was unusually cautious - and, some would say, timid.

At the Nou Camp, his emphasis was clearly on defence. He deployed striker Wayne Rooney and Park Ji Sung (below, jersey No13) as defensive wide men to help the fullbacks contain the opponents' attacks on the flanks.

At Stamford Bridge, with an eye on the Champions League, he left top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench.

'These are not Fergie's customary traits,' writes Rob Hughes. 'His forte is the courage to go where others fear to tread, telling his players they can win.

'By compromising that, he risks telling them they are tired, or the opponents are better.'