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The 24-year-old Brazilian has struggled with his form and fitness since his big-money move from Porto in 2007, and has not quite lived up to the expectations of the Old Trafford faithful after a promising debut season.

However, while he admits his time in England has at times been a case of 'two steps forward and three steps back', he said he is ready to fight for the team as they prepare to launch a full-on assault for another 'treble' season.

"(The exit rumours) are not true," he told reporters. "Everyone knows I'm happy at the club. I've had a lot of injuries but I've never let the smile go from my face.

The former Sporting man gave his side the lead in the 56th minute, with Porto going on to win 1-0, but Isco said the decision by the official to grant the goal was the wrong call.

"The goal was illegal and it shouldn't have counted," the 20-year-old told Goal.com. 

"But that stuff happens."

The youngster then criticised the performance of his team, but also gave credit to the opposition for successfully shutting down the game of the Spaniards.

Penarol went three points clear at the top of Group 4 with a 1-0 win over Ecuador's Emelec, while Nacional had to come from behind twice to claim a 3-2 victory away to Toluca, leap-frogging the Mexican club in the process to lead Group 1.

Penarol overcame Emelec thanks to Juan Manuel Olivera's 68th-minute goal in Montevideo.

After a powerful run into the box from one of his team-mates, Penarol's Fabian Estoyanoff collected the loose ball, before smashing it across the face of goal.

Fernando Vazquez will take charge against Real after Domingos Pacienca left the Galician outfit by mutual consent after just six games in charge. 

Deportivo are sitting bottom of La Liga and have conceded 54 goals in 24 games this season.

But the 33-year-old former Spain international said: "When doubt takes over, the club must be strong and we must grow as people, players and a team.

"It is no secret that a win against Real would help confidence," added Marchena, who has played 17 games for Deportivo this season.

The midfielder, who joined from Everton in the summer, has made just two starts for Roberto Mancini's side. 

However, after playing 30 minutes of their FA Cup win over Leeds at the weekend, the 21-year-old is hoping he can now fight for regular first-team appearances.

He told The Daily Mirror: "My main aim now is to stay fit. That's been my main problem for the last year or so, an inability to stay fit and shrug off little injuries.

"That's held me back, and I think if I can stay fit, the games will come."

Arsene Wenger's men suffered a 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League round-of-16 first leg at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Walcott said Arsenal needed to turn their attentions to the Premier League, in which they sit fifth and needing to improve on if they are to secure Champions League qualification for next season.

"Don't get me wrong. We have to be realistic and say it's going to be very difficult (to progress)," he said of their Champions League hopes this season.

Despite a 3-2 loss to Sochaux on Sunday, PSG remain top of the table – sitting three points clear of Lyon.

PSG face third-placed Marseille in a crucial league encounter on Sunday and Ancelotti said it would be tough for his side to maintain their form.

"The French championship is special. There is a lot of rhythm, speed and intensity. It is not always easy," the Italian told Ma Chaine Sport. 

"In Ligue 1, talent is not enough. The defensive work is the most difficult thing for (Javier) Pastore, (Ezequiel) Lavezzi and Lucas (Moura)."