Lose v Benfica...Win The Title?On Wednesday night Manchester United have what is, remarkably, their third chance to qualify for this season's Champions League knock-out phase.
What looked like a formality ahead of shock results against Copenhagen and Celtic still looks like a probability, with Sir Alex Ferguson's men in need of just a point in their last group game - at home to Benfica - to progress.
United will be keen to avenge last year's elimination at the hands of the Portuguese side, and they should comfortably do so. And yet, while last year's exit was a disaster that had both fans and journalists knowingly proclaiming that it was well past time for the Premiership's longest-serving manager to hang up his hairdryer, an early bath this time round could be exactly what the Red Devils need.
Obviously, a few doubts would re-emerge on the Stretford End, the hacks would circle like vultures, and the Old Trafford faithful would have to endure the taunts of rival fans (and for United, remember, that means everyone). The financial implications might also be a concern, and - perhaps more worryingly - United's future seeding in the competition could be affected.
But when the dust settled, Fergie's side would have a far greater chance of finally reclaiming the Premiership title.
It's very hard to win the Champions League as well as your domestic title even with the best squad in the world. And United have far from the best squad in the world.
The addition of Henrik Larsson and the return of Giuseppe Rossi and Alan Smith should, all being well, provide Ferguson with the chance to rest the tired legs of Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha when the going gets tough later in the season, but there is no doubt which pairing he will want leading the line when the crunch comes.
And it is in midfield, where the most legwork is done, where the quality of United's back-up leaves most to be desired when compared to Chelsea.
Injury and fatigue take their toll on players - just ask Thierry Henry - and every game that United play in Europe increases the number of Premiership minutes ManYoo fans will have to put their faith in Kieran Richardson.
Indeed, United could do without the UEFA Cup run that defeat would bring, but it would be clear where their priorities lay if that situation arose. No-one would blame Ferguson for giving the second string a run-out in a second-rate competition.
The possibility of thus resting players for European games, allied to Chelski's continued progression in the League Cup, would go some way to redressing the imbalance between the two squads challenging for the title.
It goes without saying that United are the only team to find themselves in this position. Arsenal and Liverpool, both out of the title race, can hope that a Champions League run will salvage their seasons as it did one and two years ago respectively. Chelsea, meanwhile, are desperate for the trophy whose absence burns a hole in their silverware cabinet. Their failure to have won it is one of the biggest sticks with which their rivals can beat them.
Three years ago this position would have seemed completely implausible. A second Champions League triumph was Ferguson's Holy Grail, and most of the fans - sated on a diet of Premierships - would have agreed. Not now. Not to a man as proud as Ferguson.
Liverpool won it. Arsenal got to the final. And no-one thinks of either as challenging Chelsea's recent dominance even for a second.
The same couldn't be said of beating Roman's Roubles to the Premiership title - one that it's hard not to think would be more satisfying than any previous league win Ferguson has masterminded.
Of course, Manchester United fans might believe they really can challenge on both fronts. Even Ferguson might, although I suspect he is more aware of the limitations of his squad than anyone else. And for that reason, and for pride, neither the fans nor the boss would want an early Champions League exit if you offered it to them now.
But what you want and what you need aren't always the same thing.
Adam Fraser 
If you go to the games, you don't hear and watch that.
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