Man Utd v Barcelona preview

Old Trafford gears up for a clash between two European heavyweights

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 29th April 2008

Man Utd v Barcelona preview

United and Barca go head-to-head

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Manchester United and Barcelona go in search of a place in the UEFA Champions League final.

The two sides could not be separated at the Camp Nou last Wednesday, playing out a dour goalless draw.

However, while the game in Catalunya provided little in terms of entertainment the result has ensured that Tuesday's showdown at Old Trafford has now become an all-or-nothing encounter.

With a place in Moscow on 21st May up for grabs both teams are likely to approach the game with caution once again.

United are more than capable of sweeping aside their Spanish counterparts with slick, attacking football, but will be well aware that Barca have a host of match winners within their own squad and know that an away goal would put the Primera Division outfit in pole position to progress.

United's defeat to Chelsea on Saturday was their first in 11 matches, but they have faltered of late and will be keen to get their double dreams back on track.

They should head into the fixture in confident mood, as they have not conceded a goal in their last four European games and are unbeaten in the competition so far.

Barcelona's Champions League record this year mirrors United's, but their domestic form has been woeful of late and they have picked up just one victory in their last nine Primera Division outings.

Doubts over duo

United's chances of piling more misery on Frank Rijkaard's side could depend on the availability of Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic.

Rooney hobbled out of United's clash at Stamford Bridge on Saturday with a hip injury and is facing a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the game.

While the England international's presence would be greatly missed up front, the absence of Vidic's commanding frame would severely weaken the Red Devils at the back.

The Serbian centre-half sustained a facial injury against the Blues at the weekend and was forced to sit out training on Monday.

Sir Alex Ferguson remains confident that the duo will be available for the crunch encounter, and will also be able to call upon Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick and Wes Brown despite the quartet training away from the main group on Monday.

Scottish midfielder Darren Fletcher is also in contention for a starting berth after making his comeback from a knee injury against Chelsea.

Few changes made

While Ferguson has a number of slight concerns ahead of the game his opposite number is expected to stick with roughly the same squad which featured in the first leg last week.

Rijkaard does have club captain Carles Puyol available again after suspension and the Spanish international defender is expected to take the place of Rafael Marquez, as the Mexican must serve a ban of his own.

The only other change sees the versatile Brazilian Edmilson, who missed the first leg through injury, return to the fold in place of Giovani dos Santos.

Unsettled playmaker Ronaldinho and back-up keeper Albert Jorquera are both still carrying injuries and miss out as a result, while Oleguer and Santi Ezquerro have been omitted from the 18-man squad.

Combative midfielder Yaya Toure was unable to train on Monday after picking up an ankle injury during Barca's weekend defeat to Deportivo La Coruna, but he has been included in the travelling party and is expected to take his place in the side.