BITTERNESS RISES IN PRE-MATCH BUILD-UP
"Our opponents have turned this match into something that goes beyond normal rivalry. They have virtually accused us of cheating by taking a quick free-kick, despite the fact that around the field their players took similarly speedy action on a number of occasions. Nothing wrong with that, of course, because it keeps the game flowing.
"It's not our fault that their goalkeeper took an inordinately long time to line up the defensive wall in front of him. The bottom line is that Ryan Giggs showed great presence of mind while their team were caught napping and that's not cheating. I believe they should be looking at themselves rather than blaming us.
"I'm sure when the dust has settled, Lille's attempt to get their players to walk off will worry their coach for a long time to come. It certainly should. And then to appeal against the Uefa findings, that beggars belief and just pours more fuel on what is an inflammatory situation.
"Then to appeal against the Uefa findings that the goal should stand beggars belief and just pours more fuel on what is already an inflammatory situation. More and more, Lille are presenting themselves as a little club against a big one who are bullying them.
"The important thing for us is to remain focused on the game. It is a big event for us and it is important that we progress further than we have in the last few years.
"Lille have proved to be a very hard team to beat. They are organised and committed. Also this season we were careless in the group stage against Celtic and Copenhagen. That was a good reminder that you can't take anything for granted.
"I said this was shaping up to be a great week, one every player wants to be involved in. It was a fantastic achievement to win at Anfield so late on when we were down to 10 men. Now we have this European tie and the Cup quarter-final."
Lille coach Claude Puel:
"Since the first leg, we have heard Sir Alex Ferguson say a lot of things and put a lot of pressure on. We know that this is one of his ways of doing things but, in France, we are more interested in respect between teams and between managers.
"We are not embarrassed. The whole thing has been carried on more by United than us. It can't have been pleasant for them to have been eliminated by a small club like us last year in the Champions League."
Striker Peter Odemwingie:
"United should be ashamed. They won by a cheap route. The free-kick was simply cheap behaviour on their part. If it had happened the other way round I wouldn't be happy because it was illegal.
"We were heartbroken. It wasn't a good goal, but it will make us more determined to win at Old Trafford. We have the self-belief and the ability to turn the tables. I am sure we will beat Manchester United.
"We were not going to walk off. In France, once there's an unacceptable decision the captain normally goes to the touchline — knowing the referee will include it in the match report.
"Maybe they assumed that other players joining in were walking off but that's not the case.
"As for the return, we really don't have much to lose. They are the ones who are feeling the pressure because of the Man United brand across the world. On paper, they are highly favoured. But on the pitch we have equal chances."