Boss ignores Totti absence

Sir Alex Ferguson won’t allow the absence of talismanic Roma skipper Francesco Totti to provoke complacency in his players ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League quarter-final, first leg.

The veteran striker will sit out the match at the Stadio Olimpico after aggravating a thigh problem on Saturday, but the United manager is still expecting a tough test in the Italian capital.


“I can’t say it’s going to be an easy game, as it’s a Champions League quarter-final,” he told his pre-match press conference.

“Totti is definitely an inspirational figure, but I’m sure the experience of Roma's other players and their manager Luciano Spalletti will overcome that.

“Roma are second in the league and have a fantastic chance of winning it. They’re a better team [than last season], without question, as their league position shows.”

Roma are also missing central defender Juan with a foot injury, but United have injury concerns of their own.

Darren Fletcher, Nani, Louis Saha and Gary Neville have all stayed in Manchester, while Sir Alex will monitor the progress of several other squad members in this evening’s training session.
“You hope to have a full squad available,” he said. “Of course we could do with Louis Saha, and Darren Fletcher is a big game player.

"I think Edwin van der Sar will be fit. Carrick, Giggs and Evra are our doubts, but we’ll see how they come through training tonight."

Heading to Rome on the back of Saturday's 4-0 demolition of Aston Villa has left United in high spirits.

Sir Alex will hope that, even if injuries force him to make changes to his team, the squad is both confident and strong enough to cope.

“You like to have your best team, but you don’t always have that at this stage of the season," he added.

"Coming into these matches, form is important and we’re pleased with ours.”