Man. United face daunting home test

Manchester United face a formidable task against Roma at Old Trafford tonight as they bid to reach the last four of the Champions League for the first time in five years.

Although Roma carry a narrow 2-1 first leg lead into the game, they played superbly in their last away match in the competition when they won 2-0 at Olympique Lyon - and United manager Alex Ferguson is treating them with the utmost respect.

Ferguson had tipped Lyon as a dark horse capable of winning the competition - and knows United will have to be at their imperious best to keep alive their dreams of repeating their 1999 treble when they won the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in the same season.

Looking ahead to tonight's match, Ferguson said: "We have given ourselves the best advantage in that we have scored the away goal and if we win 1-0 we are through.

"But Roma's 2-0 win in Lyon was special. We have got to analyse that game. We know what they are capable of."

United will be without the suspended Paul Scholes, who was sent off in Rome last week and could be replaced by Darren Fletcher. They also have three defenders out injured - Nemanja Vidic, Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre.

However, United do have an impressive record at home in Europe, losing only once in their last 31 matches at Old Trafford - but they will also quickly need to put Saturday's surprise 2-1 loss at Portsmouth in the Premier League out of their system.

After Lyon, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti believes his team can claim another high-profile victim.

"The best way to prepare for the match of your life is with a win. Roma is ready," said Spalletti after Saturday's 2-0 victory over Catania - their first away Serie A success of 2007.

Great match

"We'll be playing on one of the biggest pitches in Europe. United have designed it that way so they can play lots of one-on-ones. Because they have a lot of individual skill, they beat players easily.

"These are qualities that we also have, though, and I'm convinced it is going to be a great match."

Several of Roma's leading players, including captain Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi, Rodrigo Taddei, Mancini, and Cristian Chivu, will come into the game fresh having been rested for all or most of Saturday's match.

Christian Wilhelmsson is expected to stand in for suspended midfielder Simone Perrotta.

Perrotta's absence, however, is made up for by the return of Chilean international David Pizarro, whose vision has made him one of Roma's most influential players this season.