Rioch's return to centre stage

Uefa Champions League, Group E - AaB Aalborg v Manchester United
Venue: Energi Nord Arena Date: Tuesday, 30 September Kick-off: 1945 BST Coverage: BBC Radio Five Live, BBC Sport website & ITV 4

By Nabil Hassan

Bruce Rioch knows how to beat Manchester United.

With victories over United as a player and manager already under his belt, the Aab Aalborg manager will try to repeat the feat with the Danish minnows at the Energi Nord Arena on Tuesday.

Rioch - who has rebuilt his managerial career in the relatively low-key Danish league - needs no reminding that the Champions League Group E clash, the biggest game in Aalborg's history, will be a daunting test.

"United are going to come straight at us," the former Arsenal boss told BBC Sport.

"It will be like a lion going after its prey, they are going to go right for the jugular.

"But at the same time it will be a full house and the only way our good young players will improve is to play in these sorts of games."

WHO IS BRUCE RIOCH? DATE OF BIRTH: 6 Sept, 1947 PLAYING CAREER: Luton, Aston Villa, Derby, Everton, Birmingham, Sheffield United, Seattle Sounders, Torquay MANAGERIAL CAREER: Torquay, FC Seattle, Middlesbrough, Millwall, Bolton, Arsenal, Norwich, Wigan, Odense, Aalborg INTERNATIONAL CAREER: Scotland (24 caps, six goals)

Rioch was part of the Aston Villa side which beat United in a 1971 League Cup semi-final, at a time when the Villains were in the old Division Three.

The Scot did it again as a manager 25 years later with Arsenal beating United 1-0 thanks to a Dennis Bergkamp goal.

"It will be great to see United here, but it will also be great to see Sir Alex Ferguson," said Rioch, who ended up at Aalborg after a chance phone-call from the club's sporting director.

"He's been an unbelievable manager over the last 20 years and when talking about the great British managers of the past, he wouldn't be far away from being number one.

"He's rebuilt the club from top to bottom and he's been awesome in his pursuit of winning trophies.

"The way United play epitomises their manager's character: they are driven, motivated, hard-working, enthusiastic and committed to winning."

The disparities between the two clubs are stark: while United's average attendance last season was 75,638, Aalborg struggle to fill their 10,000-capacity stadium. And the £30m Ferguson shelled out for striker Dimitar Berbatov could fund the Danish club for seven years.

Berbatov and Co could be in for something of a shock when they discover a ground with no players' lounge and changing rooms Rioch likens to those of a school.

Rioch does not even have his own office, so Ferguson could miss out on the traditional post-match glass of red wine with his counterpart.

Aalborg won last year's Superliga title in Denmark, putting a strong emphasis on developing good young players, a policy that has produced a healthy number of Danish Under-21 internationals in their squad.

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And they have a spine of senior international players in the shape of Zaza (Morocco), Marek Saganowski (Poland), Andreas Johansson (Sweden) and Michael Beauchamp (Australia).

Nevertheless, Rioch expects goalkeeper Karim Zaza, who saved Barry Robson's penalty in the goalless draw with Celtic a fortnight ago, to be very busy.

Much like Ferguson, the 61-year-old Rioch's passion for the game remains undiminished at an age when many are thinking of retiring.

But time has helped to mellow Rioch, who held a reputation as a no-nonsense disciplinarian, while coaching in Denmark has given him a different perspective on management.

"My time in Denmark has made me a better manager, but so has experience," said Rioch, the man who signed Arsenal legend Bergkamp in his only season with the Gunners.

"You do mellow over time, in the right way and for the right reasons. But that doesn't mean that you are not motivated to win games."

Rioch left Arsenal after falling out with the board over transfer funds and resigned from his post at Norwich for similar reasons.

I'm not here on vacation, I'm here to work very hard Aalborg coach Bruce Rioch

"You look back at the things you have done in the past and think how you handled those situations and as a result you may do them differently now," he added.

But Rioch's managerial CV has plenty of success. He took Arsenal into the Uefa Cup, won successive promotions with Middlesbrough, guided Bolton to promotion and the League Cup final and also had two highly successful years at Danish club Odense.

And the secret to lasting so long in the game?

"You've just to keep enjoying it," he said.

"Enjoy the game and working with people - and continue getting good results."

Despite the limited facilities and the lack of transfer money available, Rioch has relished his time at AaB.

"I'm not here on vacation, I'm here to work very hard and to learn," said Rioch, who is aware his six-month contract will end soon with Aalborg.

So does Rioch want to return to manage in Britain?

"My last match will probably be the final Champions League game at Old Trafford," said Rioch. "After that I’d like to see what possibilities open up.

"I'm looking for a good job, but rather than pre-empt anything you just have to cross that bridge when you get there. First and foremost I’m focusing on the job I’ve got to do here."