The J. League outfit are massive underdogs, despite playing in their own country, with few pundits giving them any chance of an upset that would see them book a final meeting with LDU Quito in Yokohama on Sunday.

Having once beaten Brazil when coach of the 1996 Japanese Olympic squad in Atlanta, Nishino knows nothing is impossible.

But, if Gamba are to lose, he wants them to do it in style.

"Our target is always to attack," he said. "It is in our nature and is what we have to do.

"We have to recognise we are not capable of gaining 50% of possession against a team like Manchester United. But we must make the most of what we do get and not be afraid."

Nishino knows Gamba's task will not be made any easier by the fact they cannot even count on home-town support.

United have remained popular in these parts even though David Beckham is long gone.

There has been a steady stream of fans outside their team hotel virtually non-stop since the Red Devils arrived on Monday tea-time.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Darren Fletcher were forced to get a driver to take them 500 yards from their team hotel to a press conference at the nearby Conference Centre on Tuesday for fear the Scottish duo would be besieged en-route if they attempted to make the journey on foot and not make it to their engagement.

And Nishino knows not every Japanese fan in a sell-out crowd tomorrow will be cheering for a home win.

"I hope the fans remember we wear blue," he smiled.

"A lot of our supporters live outside Osaka too, so we both have something in common.

"Of course I know Manchester United will have a lot of people wanting to win but the support of the Japanese public would really make a difference."