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Man U desperate for a win against Glasgow Rangers
Glasgow, Oct 22: Ferguson returns to his home city and former club for this first match of a Group E double-header and his team are desperate for points after losing 2-1 last time out in Stuttgart.
Glasgow, Oct 22: Ferguson returns to his home city and former club for this first match of a Group E double-header and his team are desperate for points after losing 2-1 last time out in Stuttgart.
South African Quinton Fortune is doubtful after picking up a leg injury in the 1-0 premier league victory at Leeds United last weekend and is likely to be replaced by Irishman John O'Shea in defence. Winger Ryan Giggs should be fit to return after missing the Leeds match through illness, while England's Nicky Butt could be brought in to strengthen the midfield.
Rangers are hampered by the continued absence of Dutch midfielder Ronald de Boer, who last week suffered a calf injury during his return to training after knee surgery in August. Defender Robert Malcolm is also struggling to be fit with a twisted ankle but the Glasgow club are able to field a strong side.
Defenders Craig Moore and Fernando Ricksen returned from injury in Sunday's disappointing 1-1 league draw at Motherwell and both are expected to retain their places for the visit of the English champions.
Glasgow manager Alex McLeish rates Manchester United among the top four teams in Europe but is confident his Rangers side has the quality to beat the English champions in Wednesday's all-British Champions League clash.
United are 10-11 on avourites with bookmakers Ladbrokes to beat the Scottish champions in their Group E encounter at Ibrox but McLeish believes a vociferous 50,000 home crowd can help his side cause an upset.
Rangers lead the group with four points from their opening two games, while United and German side VfB Stuttgart have three points. Greek side Panathinaikos are bottom on one point.
The contest dubbed the 'Battle of Britain' has been given extra spice due to McLeish's close relationship with United's Glasgow-born manager and former Rangers player Alex Ferguson.
McLeish played under Ferguson at Aberdeen in the 1980s when the Scottish side famously beat Real Madrid 2-1 to win the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup in Gothenburg.
Probable teams: Rangers: 1-Stefan Klos; 2-Fernando Ricksen, 3-Craig Moore 25-Henning Berg, 18-Michael Ball; 15-Zurab Khizanishvili, 23-Mikel Arteta, 4-Emerson; 7-Shota Arveladze, 10-Michael Mols, 26-Peter Lovenkrands Manchester United: 14-Tim Howard; 2-Gary Neville, 5-Rio Ferdinand, 27-Mikael Silvestre, 22-John O'Shea; 3-Phil Neville, 16-Roy Keane, 8-Nicky Butt, 18-Paul Scholes, 11-Ryan Giggs; 10-Ruud van Nistelrooy Referee: Anders Frisk (Sweden)
Bureau Report
South African Quinton Fortune is doubtful after picking up a leg injury in the 1-0 premier league victory at Leeds United last weekend and is likely to be replaced by Irishman John O'Shea in defence. Winger Ryan Giggs should be fit to return after missing the Leeds match through illness, while England's Nicky Butt could be brought in to strengthen the midfield.
Rangers are hampered by the continued absence of Dutch midfielder Ronald de Boer, who last week suffered a calf injury during his return to training after knee surgery in August. Defender Robert Malcolm is also struggling to be fit with a twisted ankle but the Glasgow club are able to field a strong side.
Defenders Craig Moore and Fernando Ricksen returned from injury in Sunday's disappointing 1-1 league draw at Motherwell and both are expected to retain their places for the visit of the English champions.
Glasgow manager Alex McLeish rates Manchester United among the top four teams in Europe but is confident his Rangers side has the quality to beat the English champions in Wednesday's all-British Champions League clash.
United are 10-11 on avourites with bookmakers Ladbrokes to beat the Scottish champions in their Group E encounter at Ibrox but McLeish believes a vociferous 50,000 home crowd can help his side cause an upset.
Rangers lead the group with four points from their opening two games, while United and German side VfB Stuttgart have three points. Greek side Panathinaikos are bottom on one point.
The contest dubbed the 'Battle of Britain' has been given extra spice due to McLeish's close relationship with United's Glasgow-born manager and former Rangers player Alex Ferguson.
McLeish played under Ferguson at Aberdeen in the 1980s when the Scottish side famously beat Real Madrid 2-1 to win the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup in Gothenburg.
Probable teams: Rangers: 1-Stefan Klos; 2-Fernando Ricksen, 3-Craig Moore 25-Henning Berg, 18-Michael Ball; 15-Zurab Khizanishvili, 23-Mikel Arteta, 4-Emerson; 7-Shota Arveladze, 10-Michael Mols, 26-Peter Lovenkrands Manchester United: 14-Tim Howard; 2-Gary Neville, 5-Rio Ferdinand, 27-Mikael Silvestre, 22-John O'Shea; 3-Phil Neville, 16-Roy Keane, 8-Nicky Butt, 18-Paul Scholes, 11-Ryan Giggs; 10-Ruud van Nistelrooy Referee: Anders Frisk (Sweden)
Bureau Report