Darren Fletcher has warned his Manchester United team-mates not to expect an easy ride against AaB on Tuesday.
Having opened their Champions League defence with a home draw against Villarreal, Fletcher knows United could do with maximum points from their trip to northern Denmark.
Immediately after the Group E draw was made, that is probably what United expected too, along with Villarreal and Celtic in the battle for two qualifying spots.
But those ideas had to be swiftly revised in the wake of AaB's eye-catching draw at Parkhead.
"It is not going to be quite that easy to beat them," Fletcher said. "Aalborg might not be a household name but this is the Champions League. It is a top-quality competition and they are a quality side.
"People might have discarded Aalborg but that will only help them because there is no pressure.
"It is a game we will have to be on top form for."
United have certainly turned their season around in the past fortnight.
Having gone into the Villarreal clash on the back of a sound beating at Anfield, the Old Trafford side had the better of things with the Spaniards without being able to get the all-important goal.
However, subsequent triumphs over Middlesbrough and Bolton mean they will face Bruce Rioch's side in confident mood.
"We are in better form now," said Fletcher, who knows the last time they failed to overcome Villarreal on home soil, the Red Devils were embarrassingly knocked out in the group stage.
"When you look at it, Aalborg's result at Celtic was a good one for us.
"But it is important we get a win tomorrow. The longer you go without one the more worrying it gets.
"We need to kick-start our Champions League campaign."
Owen Hargreaves remains sidelined with a knee injury while Gary Neville is also absent from the squad despite seeming to come through Saturday's win over Bolton unscathed after almost 18 months on the sidelines following major ankle surgery.
For Danish title-holders AaB, the visit of United marks one of the biggest matches in the club's history.
And defender Michael Beauchamp admits they are relishing the prospect of facing the European champions, even though his team are overwhelming underdogs.
"This is huge, awaiting a clash with Manchester United," the Australian said.
"They are big favourites and strictly speaking our chances of winning are minimal.
"Instead we're viewing this match primarily as a great experience."
Beauchamp is also relieved to be available for the match after being sent off in their opener against Celtic in what was a case of mistaken identity.
UEFA later rescinded his red card - with Michael Jakobsen identified as the man who had committed a foul on Georgios Samaras - and Beauchamp can now focus on a clash which has clearly whetted the appetite of his family Down Under.
"Luckily everything has been put to rights," he said of the incident.
"Apart from the referee, everyone could see it wasn't me but Michael Jakobsen who made the challenge.
"Thankfully AaB appealed and now I'm available for a dream match which my parents are flying over from Australia for."
Jakobsen is not so fortunate as he will serve a one-match ban against United for that tackle on Samaras, while there are also doubts over Kasper Risgard and Jeppe Curth, who both sat out training on Monday.
