Carlos Tevez: Man United can't mess with Messi

Carlos Tevez admitted last night that Lionel Messi is the biggest threat to Manchester United's Champions League dreams.

Barcelona's little Argentine was expected to miss the semi-final showdown after suffering a groin injury, but has returned ahead of schedule to take on Sir Alex Ferguson's side on Wednesday.

And Tevez believes his compatriot is the real danger to United's belief that they can replicate their 1999 triumph and lift the biggest prize in club football for the third time.

Tevez, who roomed with forward Messi during last year's Copa America, said: "Barcelona are one team with Messi - but a completely different team without him.

"Everyone knows that at Barcelona. He is the main point of reference and key man in the whole Barca team.

"But while he is a big danger to us, it is better for us if he plays because then we will either have beaten the real Barcelona, or gone out to the real team." Tevez, whose late strike at Blackburn kept United in the title box seat, added: "We're in a good way at the moment, but that doesn't mean we go to the Nou Camp as the favourites.

"Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney will cause their defence many problems, but we must make sure we handle Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry and Messi.

"We do know that if we play as we can, it will be very hard for them to beat us, but we also know that we have to play well to win."