Indeed United -- who drew 0-0 at home to Villarreal -- will need to summon up the spirit of the 1968 European Cup winners as they play away at the side who were trounced 4-1 by that United outfit -- Benfica.

United, who this year have had a controversial takeover of the team by the Glazer family and seen their talismanic midfielder Roy Keane leave under a cloud last Friday, are third in their group and must cast an envious look at their other fellow former winners.

Juventus edged Bruges 1-0 thanks to Alessandro del Piero while Bayern Munich thrashed Rapid Vienna 4-0 and lead the Italians on goal difference.

Ajax beat Czech outfit Sparta Prague 2-1 at home to make the last 16 but one of their former managers Ronald Koeman must also wait to see if he will join them as Benfica were held 0-0 by French side Lille.

There was another sparkling performance by Barcelona, who beat Werder Bremen 3-1 with Ronaldinho once again pulling the strings as he created two and scored one himself.

Not only do Werder risk losing out on the second knockout spot from the group, as Udinese came from behind to stun Panathinaikos 2-1 to take a three point advantage on the Germans, but the Bundesliga side look like missing star striker Miroslav Klose for up to three weeks as he fractured a cheekbone.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson couldn't be too upset at the goalless draw as his side failed to create too many chances with Ronaldo missing the clearest of them with a header.

Benfica were equally shot shy against Lille -- who sensationally beat United 1-0 earlier this month -- but Koeman did not dismiss their chances when they play United in a fortnight's time.

"It will be difficult but not impossible," said the former Dutch footballing great, who has found managerial life a tougher task and his present side are struggling in the championship race.

While both Ferguson and Koeman were thinking of their clash Juventus coach Fabio Capello was keener to dismiss rumours about his future after he had been linked with the Real Madrid job with one radio station claiming it was a done deal.

"There is absolutely no truth in that story," he said bluntly after Juve's victory which sealed a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

"I don't know where it came from. It's fantasy football. I've said in the past I don't like these re-hashed stories. I'm only thinking about Juventus."

Bayern's romp featured Roy Makaay's first two goals of the campaign but also saw Sebastian Deisler's steady recovery on and off the pitch -- he has twice been treated for depression -- continue as he rattled in his third goal in as many Champions League matches.

"It is great to have three Champions League goals already," enthused Deisler.

"I am playing with a lot of confidence and so is the team. I think it is too early to say what we can do in this competition -- we will just have to wait and see."

For United fans it is more a case of anxiously waiting to see if their side even makes the last 16. If they don't, it could cost the club 15 million pounds -- and perhaps see Ferguson joining Keane quicker than he imagined.