Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Manchester United's Champions League position is ''embarrassing'' and challenged his under-performing stars to win back his trust.

In a strong rebuke, Ferguson admitted he was red-faced that United were still not sure of their quarter-final place going into their final match against Sturm Graz tonight.

Even though United only need a 2-0 defeat or better at Old Trafford to qualify, Ferguson is unhappy that they have already blown two opportunities to progress following a pair of poor displays.

The United manager wants his players to prove to him once again that they are capable of winning the Champions League.

''We all know the situation and it's embarrassing that we find ourselves in the position where we need to do something,'' he said.

''It's not really the result which is important, it's the performance.

''I think we need to get a performance to give us back our trust in the players and also to know what their capabilities are because they have not been reaching their capabilities in the last few weeks.

''That's uppermost in my mind and I think we will see a better Manchester United tomorrow.

''I'm very lucky that I've got players who have a decent self-regard.

''They realise themselves that they have been letting the team down and themselves down.

''Pride does come into it, and I made the point very markedly to them, that it's a test of their own pride and in fairness they have represented themselves very well in the last few years winning championships.''

Ferguson pointed to the exits of Lazio, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Juventus from this year's competition as proof for his players of what can happen if the big guns misfire.

He is adamant this fate will not befall United and he is confident they will come good if, as expected, they reach the last eight for the fifth successive season.

''I think we've seen it ourselves with the big sides which have been disappointing this year in the European Cup,'' he said.

''Lazio, Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan a lot of big guns have gone by the wayside.

"I suppose we can be thankful of the fact that we are still in a decent position to qualify for the quarter-finals.

''If we do so I hope that triggers better performances and I think it's fair to say that in the bigger games we generally do better.''

Ironically, Ferguson would have preferred to be going into the game needing a draw or a win to qualify as the group stands, Graz need to score at least three goals and win by at least two to knock United out.

Ferguson feels his players respond better when the stakes are higher.

''When the team have dipped in form, they have to do something about it and they must not let their confidence dip because of that,'' he said.

''When they were on the edge for the Arsenal game, they showed very much what they are capable of doing.

"They know fine well of the capabilities we're talking about.

''Their capabilities are very, very high and as good as any team in Europe and it's just a question of getting the gas on right away tomorrow.''

Ferguson intends to breast the finishing tape in style by beating Graz for a fourth time in two seasons.

United could even go through as winners of Group A if they take more points than Valencia do at home to Panathinaikos.

Ferguson, though, is not getting carried away and he is mindful of the threat the Austrians pose on the counter-attack.

Ryan Giggs is once again missing, but this time because of flu, while Nicky Butt is available after suspension