Rooney: First-leg goal
Manchester United host Roma at Old Trafford with a two-goal advantage but in the knowledge a defensive headache could impinge on best laid plans.
In the Eternal City last week there was a fluidity and resolve to United’s performance that hinted they may conclude the present campaign with a European Cup in the trophy cabinet, as goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney ensured the pervading mood at Old Trafford will be one of expectancy rather than hope.
But that mood could soon sour if Roma breach a rearguard likely to be shorn of twin defensive talismans Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, as injuries strike Sir Alex Ferguson’s ranks at just the wrong time.
Vidic has a knee injury and is a definite absentee and while Ferdinand is expected to train on Wednesday morning, Ferguson is unlikely to risk him as the season reaches its most delicate juncture.
Against Middlesbrough on Sunday, Ferguson started with John O’Shea alongside Ferdinand, before injury forced his withdrawal, but the Irishman looked less than assured in the role and was eventually switched to right-back.
Ferdinand’s replacement at The Riverside, Gerard Pique, drew praise from his manager and looks likely to keep his place as Ferguson continues to show faith in the raw but promising Spaniard.
Pique could well line up alongside O’Shea but Ferguson also has the option of moving Wes Brown inside from right-back and utilise Owen Hargreaves in a full-back position. Long-term absentees Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre are also in contention to figure should Ferdinand be ruled out.
Options aplenty
United have often operated with Wayne Rooney as a lone front-man in Europe this season, with Carlos Tevez the regular fall guy, and the Argentine could again have to content himself with a place on the bench.
In midfield Ferguson has a plethora of options as the likes of Ji-sung Park, Ryan Giggs and Anderson all vie for a starting berth, with Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes established as a first-choice central pairing of late.
Roma head to Manchester on the back of a 3-2 victory over Genoa at the weekend and buoyed by the return of Simone Perrotta following his suspension.
They are not, though, able to call on captain and favourite son Francesco Totti due to an injury that also kept him out of the first leg.
Alberto Aquilani is not match fit and is unlikely to figure, meaning David Pizarro could win a recall for the Italians.
Totti ruled out for Roma
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