‘LAUGHABLE'

"Why would I want to give up everything I have here?" says Figo.

"It's not as if I go home at night and lose any sleep over the persistent rumours linking me with United. To suggest that I would be used in any way to secure a deal for David Beckham is laughable. It insults my intelligence. I know where I stand with Madrid and I know that my future is secure here.

"We would have to throw it away after the home result. It was a magnificent performance, but one you expect from Madrid in this competition.

"United are the team most of the remaining sides would have wanted to avoid, except us of course. It is a measure of how good we are that when it came to the knockout stage we celebrated drawing them.

"It's hard to see them reducing the two-goal lead we have. They have to contend with our offensive play because we won't go to England to defend, that's not in our nature.

"We could have been in a stronger position after the first game if we had taken our chances, but Madrid went there a few years ago after drawing the first match and still won.

"I believe you just have to play your best football and if it's good enough you will win. It's easy to talk, but far more effective when you play."