Ferguson confident ahead of Roma clash

Manager Alex Ferguson said he was confident Manchester United had AS Roma sized up ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Stadio Olimpico.

"I think, because of playing them so many times, we are aware of exactly what Roma is about," the English champions' boss told a news conference.

"The first time we came here we found the first 20 minutes very difficult, the way they pressed the game, and it took us a long time to adjust. Now we are playing them for the sixth time and hopefully we have overcome those difficulties."

United knocked Roma out at this stage of the competition last year with a 7-1 drubbing at Old Trafford after losing the first leg 2-1. The Premier League leaders also had the better of the group-stage encounters between the sides, winning 1-0 at home and drawing 1-1 in the Italian capital.

Ferguson said he was optimistic goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and defender Patrice Evra would be fit but that midfielder Michael Carrick remained a major injury doubt. He added that Cristiano Ronaldo's remarkable form would be an extra weapon against a Roma side without injured top-scorer and captain Francesco Totti.