Ex-Manchester United defender Gary Pallister hopes a red-hot atmosphere at Old Trafford can help propel his former side to an unlikely Europa League last-16 victory over Liverpool. United were only able to muster one shot target in last weeks first leg at Anfield as goals from Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino saw them lose 2-0, leaving them with a mountain to climb on Thursday night. Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring with a penalty against Man Utd last week But Louis van Gaals side showed character to come back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with West Ham in Sundays FA Cup quarter-final and Pallister says that performance is a timley boost ahead of the game with bitter rivals, Liverpool. We didnt want to go into that game off the back of being knocked out of the FA Cup, Pallister told Sky Sports.Its an uphill task and for sure it is a big ask of the players to overcome a 2-0 deficit but hopefully we can get the kind of atmosphere that we saw at Anfield the other night. Gary Pallister in action for United in the mid-nineties It was a red-hot atmosphere last week and I hope it will be red-hot again on Thursday and Liverpool will feel intimidated by coming to Old Trafford with the crowd in full voice.Hopefully that will work in our favour and we can get an early goal and keep the tie alive because if they score well have to score four goals at least. Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson says the Manchester derby at the weekend is crucial if they want to finish in the top four We need to make it a difficult place for them to come and play and the tie will really come to life if we can score the first goal.Its also important that we dont concede but I think the fans will play a big part on Thursday night.A lacklustre campaign for United - currently sixth in the Premier League - has seen goalkeeper David de Gea emerge as one of the clubs best performers this season. Utd club ambassador Pallister won 10 major trophies in nine years at Old Trafford Club ambassador Pallister admitted the Spaniard has been influential this season but says he has also been impressed by Chris Smalling and Daley Blind, as well as some of Uniteds exciting crop of young players.I think Chris Smalling has been outstanding this season, Pallister said.Hes had a couple of injury problems this year but I think we saw again on Sunday that he had a very difficult tussle with Andy Carroll - who is obviously very physical - and we needed someone like Chris to stand up to try and nullify threat. Chris Smalling shackled West Ham striker Andy Carroll at Old Trafford on Sunday The kids have also done really well. Marcus Rashford has had an outstanding start to his United career and I think young Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has grown in stature with every game.I also think Daley Blind has been really good this year. Hes been moved around into a few positions this year but his understanding of the game is top-class.He reads the game so well, hes a terrific footballer and I think he can take a lot of pride in his performances this year.Gary Pallister was speaking at an event launching a global partnership between Manchester United and Gulf Oil International. Also See: Law: United need Rooney back Liverpool to train at Old Trafford LVG failure would harm United Butt hails United youngsters Cheap Celtics Jerseys . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Celtics Jerseys Outlet . Brad Jacobs and his Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., team took control of the game early. http://www.cheapcelticsjerseyschina.com/ .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. Larry Bird Jersey . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. Authentic Celtics Jerseys . Fernandez, coached in Toronto by former two-time Olympic silver medallist Brian Orser, scored 267.11 points and is the first champion to successfully defend since Russias Evgeny Plushenko in 2005 and 2006.CHICAGO -- The NBA has fined Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau $35,000 for comments he made about the officiating following Fridays loss to the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The league announced the fine on Sunday. Thibodeau was upset that Nazr Mohammed got ejected for shoving LeBron James to the floor and accused the Heats superstar of flopping.dddddddddddd He also said calls werent going to go the Bulls way. The Heat won the game to go up 2-1 in the series. Game 4 is Monday at the United Center. ' ' '