Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that his side "misread" last year's Champions League group and has insisted that the Red Devils are not in danger of doing the same this time around.

The former Premier League champions can secure a place in the knockout rounds of the elite competition if they clinch all three points against Braga this evening, which would be a far cry from their last campaign, which ended at the group phase.

"I think we misread it last year," said Ferguson. "The previous group stages we were going through quite easily, but last year we certainly didn't, so therefore this year we're making sure we play our stronger teams.

"Hopefully that gets us into the next stage because that's what matters. We may win on Wednesday, we may lose, we may draw, but the important thing is that having nine points gives us a big chance of going through."

The Scotsman confirmed yesterday that midfield duo Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes had not travelled with the squad to Portugal.