Confident Sporting know no fear

Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Paulo Bento says his side will not be intimidated by Manchester United FC when they kick off their UEFA Champions League Group F campaign against the English champions on Wednesday.

'No fear'
Sporting have won their last two games in the Portuguese Liga and Bento believes the time is right to face United. "Sporting are doing well and we're going through a good period," he said. "We respect Manchester United but we don't fear them. Sporting will not be bystanders; I'm confident we'll battle to win. Maybe they'll control the game for spells but we'll try to take the initiative. We have to be very good collectively because they're very strong one-on-one, but United have their flaws and Sporting must take advantage."

Sporting connection
Sporting finished bottom of their group-stage section last season despite beginning with a victory over FC Internazionale Milano. Expectations are high that they can improve on that, and with United having won just two of their last 14 away matches in the competition, Sporting could spring a surprise. To do so, they will have to get the better of old boys Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani, as well as United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz, who was in charge of the Lisbon outfit between 1994 and 1996. "Ronaldo has developed well at Manchester United and is now a better player," Bento said. "I think he deserves a good reception as does Nani. However, when the match starts they become opponents and not enemies. I hope they swap shirts with Sporting players afterwards, but that they don't collect any points here."

Rooney return
Sporting are without Brazilians Pedro Silva and Derlei, who both have long-term knee injuries, while United are still missing Owen Hargreaves and Gary Neville, who failed to recover from thigh strains in time to travel. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson does have Wayne Rooney available, however, yet faces a dilemma up front with neither Rooney, Louis Saha or Carlos Tévez fully fit. With United still to score twice in a game this term, it is a cause for concern, although Rooney is raring to go. "I've been dying to play," said the 21-year-old, who broke a bone in his foot on the opening day of the campaign. "Hopefully, I can get a run-out on Wednesday and get back playing."

Hargreaves blow
Sir Alex, whose charges won 1-0 at Everton FC on Saturday, is disappointed not to have Hargreaves ready but still anticipates a strong showing from his side – considering them better than the team that was knocked out in the semi-finals by AC Milan last April. "Hargreaves did not recover in time, which is a big blow because he is an experienced player in Europe," said Sir Alex, who is also shorn of Mikaël Silvestre, Darren Fletcher, John O'Shea, Ji-Sung Park and Ben Foster. "We were close last year. We do not have our full squad at the moment but we will have all our players in the second half of the season and I believe we can do even better."