Büttner Ready To Play His Part

Alex Büttner insists he’s ready to face Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on Tuesday night in Manchester United’s Champions League quarter-final first leg.

With Patrice Evra suspended, Dutch defender Büttner is expected to line up for the Reds against the German champions in what will be his first start in Europe’s knockout stages.

Bayern, already Bundesliga champions, boast two of the top wingers in the world, with Büttner likely to come up against his fellow Dutchman Arjen Robben.

"I know him a little," Büttner told MUTV. "It's not under discussion how good he is! We all know that. "I think he’s very good one against one, especially when he comes inside.

"I have never played against Arjen before but I know what he can do and I am ready for him. It would be good for my career if I could do well against him.

"I have to focus and be confident in my own quality. I know I can get the better of him. It’s going to be a tough day but this kind of big game is why you play football. It's what it's all about."

Despite making only his eighth United start this season against Aston Villa on Saturday and admitting he "felt his hamstring a little", Büttner is adamant he’s ready for a match he admits would be "a dream" to play in.

"I think everybody wants to play in a big game like this," he said. "I’m always ready. I train hard every day and even do extra training, so I’m fit and ready when I have to play.

"I might do some extra sprints or some extra work in the gym after training. You need to make sure you’re ready if you’re asked to play.

"It’s going to be a tough game against Bayern but we have to be confident and I’ll do everything I can to stop Arjen Robben and help the team get a win at home. I hope we can beat them.

"For me, this will be one of the biggest games I’ve ever played. I’m looking forward to playing against Bayern Munich. I think everybody dreams to play against them."

Büttner feels both he and the team can take a lot of positives from the 4-1 win over Villa.

"It was great for our confidence that we beat them," he added. "If we had lost the confidence would have been low but now we have a good feeling.

"I have played two games now and I thought I played well against West Ham and Villa, putting in some good challenges. It has been vital for me to get the two matches because it would have been difficult not to play and then to have to face a big game like Bayern.

"I hope I can build on this, not just Bayern but after that as well. It is a big game on Tuesday but it is a chance for me to show what I can do."