Carlo Ancelotti promised Monday that a "strong, determined" AC Milan will give Manchester United trouble in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg at Old Trafford.
The six-time European champs are oozing confidence after winning their last five games in all competitions and scoring 16 goals.
Furthermore, Milan's medical staff say Brazil goalkeeper Dida is recovering well from a shoulder injury, so Ancelotti will probably be able to field his strongest side - apart from cup-tied Brazil star Ronaldo.
Milan should be fresh too, as Ancelotti relied mostly on the understudies to beat Cagliari 3-1 Saturday and rested many leading players.
Man Utd boss Alex Ferguson, in contrast, has a long injury list that includes England defender Rio Ferdinand, who will be unavailable for both of the semi-final clashes after pulling up with a groin problem at the weekend.
But Ancelotti is still reserving the greatest respect for the team that thrashed Serie A rivals AS Roma 7-1 in the quarter-finals.
"They are a very strong, dangerous team," Ancelotti said Monday.
"We must not allow space for their speed and their counterattacks".
The Italian press are billing the game as a clash between United's Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo - voted the player of the year Sunday by the English Professional Footballers Association - and Milan's Brazil playmaker Kaka.
Kaka is the Champions League's top scorer this season with seven goals.
The English giants would also be wise to keep close tabs on Dutch international Clarence Seedorf, who was the hero of Milan's 2-0 quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich and is in great form.
Seedorf said Manchester United are definitely the biggest challenge Milan have faced in the tournament so far.
"They have great players and they are trained by a great coach in Ferguson," the 30-year-old said.
"But the way we are playing at the moment, we can beat them".
Kaka and Seedorf are expected to play behind a single striker, probably Alberto Gilardino, on Tuesday in a 'Christmas tree' 4-3-2-1 formation.
Italy midfielders Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini are tipped to play in front of a back line formed by Massimo Oddo, Maldini, Alessandro Nesta and Marek Jankulovski.
Milan eliminated the Red Devils with two 1-0 victories in the first knock-out round of the competition in 2005 on their way to the final.
"We're not scared of Manchester United," said Nesta.
"They are a good team, but we have beaten them in the past - why shouldn't we beat them again?"
The return leg of the semi-final takes place at the San Siro Stadium on May 2.
