Burley discounts the United fear factor

George Burley is well aware that Manchester United can be world-beaters, but insists there will be no fear when his Ipswich Town side face the Premiership champions.

George Burley is well aware that Manchester United can be world-beaters, but insists there will be no fear when his Ipswich Town side face the Premiership champions.

United visit Portman Road tonight after flexing their muscles with a comfortable 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Sunday. Ipswich, meanwhile, were reminded how tough life can be at the top with Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on their return to the Premiership after a five-year exile.

Ipswich now face United in the League for the first time since they were mauled 9-0 at Old Trafford in 1995, still the biggest-ever Premiership win.

"We're looking forward to the game but we know that, on their day, Manchester United are capable of beating anyone in the world," said Burley. "I watched them play Newcastle and in the first half they were outstanding, absolutely tremendous. We need them to have an off day and we need to be ready to take advantage of that. The 9-0 result means nothing. Those days are gone. I remember beating Manchester United 6-1 when I was a player and now that counts for nothing either."

Andy Cole, who scored five times in the nine-goal hammering in March 1995, netted United's second in the win against his former club, Newcastle, but Burley insists Ipswich will not be concentrating on just one player. "They are the champions and they've got so much quality," he said. "It doesn't matter what squad they put out, it will include about 16 internationals."