Champions League nights are always that extra bit special for United fans because we are a club steeped in European tradition

We’ve had mixed fortunes in European last-four encounters before and though Scholes’ wonder-strike against Barcelona is the freshest experience in many minds, the painful defeats to Milan in 2007, Leverkeusen in 2002 and Dortmund in 1997 are still etched on my memory.

Yes we are in a better position entering the second-leg than we were in any of those games - taking a lead to the Emirates with no away goal conceded. But we are far from guaranteed a final berth - we will have to earn it at a stadium where we have yet to win. Yes, my heart says we’re going to Rome, but my head urges me to err on the side of caution.

I’ve heard a few fans talk about the importance of an early goal to ‘settle the tie’. Of course it would be welcome but it won’t necessarily be the final nail, as it could potentially lead to us sitting back and inviting Arsenal to attack us.

We managed this strategy this with great aplomb against Barcelona at Old Trafford last year (though I had lost about an inch from my fingernails by the final whistle) but Arsenal are definitely capable of scoring three at home.

Van Persie’s return gives Wenger's men a timely boost in attack and will also allow Fabregas to drop back into midfield to try to pull the strings. If our midfield can keep him quiet and Evra can ensure Walcott is again the non-entity he was last Wednesday, then the match will certainly be ours for the taking.

The Emirates will be a cauldron tonight but our supporters, who comfortably drowned out the Middlesbrough fans at the Riverside on Saturday, will be in full voice again and provide a vital inspiration for the players.

I guess all that’s left is to echo the buzz-word that has followed us around Europe for more than fifty years… believe.
The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.