Sir Alex reads cautionary tale

Manchester United FC may have "one foot in the semi-final" of the UEFA Champions League but manager Sir Alex Ferguson stressed that they still have work to do when AS Roma visit Old Trafford for the second leg of the sides' quarter-final.

'Clock against Roma'
The Premier League leaders' 2-0 victory in Italy last Tuesday puts them within touching distance of a second successive semi-final but Sir Alex warned against taking anything for granted on Roma's return to a stadium where they lost 7-1 at this stage last season. "We have got one foot in the semi-final," said the Scot. "We are not looking to do anything silly, that's the first thing. The clock is against Roma so they have to do something, which might suit us because I think on the counterattack we are very good."

Note of optimism
His Roma counterpart, Luciano Spalletti, is only too aware of this and believes it would be foolish to throw caution to the wind against opponents who have scored in every game of their UEFA Champions League campaign. "For the first hour we have to play as if the first leg didn't happen and try not to think we are 2-0 down. Going all out for a goal from the start could be counterproductive against a team with the attacking potential of Manchester United." Yet despite two defeats here in the last 12 months, Spalletti added a note of optimism: "I always start with the conviction that my players are capable of overturning any score. I know them very well and they are prepared to give everything – that was shown in their reaction on Sunday [in the 3-2 home win over Genoa CFC]."

Ferdinand hope
Roma will have followed with interest the bulletins about the fitness of Rio Ferdinand, who injured his left foot in United's 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough FC on Sunday. With Nemanja Vidić absent, Sir Alex hopes his other first-choice central defender will feature after a scan on Monday revealed no fracture. "Hopefully we can get him fit [for Wednesday]," said the manager, adding that the experienced pair of Gary Neville and Mikaël Silvestre may appear at some stage, following injury absences of 13 and seven months respectively. Paul Scholes is likely to make his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance.

'Nothing is impossible'
While Sir Alex predicted "one or two changes", he admitted it would be "difficult" to leave out Cristiano Ronaldo, scorer of the opener in Rome and on target in ten in his last eleven games in this competition. It is perhaps with Ronaldo in mind that Spalletti may opt for the more defensive-minded Max Tonetto ahead of Mancini in left midfield. The Roma coach is still without Francesco Totti but does welcome back Juan and Simone Perrotta, other first-leg absentees. Yet despite his assertion that "in football nothing is impossible", a Roma comeback would constitute a major shock. United have an unbeaten European home record stretching back three years while the Giallorossi have prevailed only once in ten previous visits to England. Moreover, besides the need to score at least twice, the Italian team must also keep United's forwards quiet – it will be a tall order.