AS Roma Vs. Manchester United Match Preview

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar looks set to return to the side against Roma in the Champions League quarter-final.

Van der Sar was on the flight to Italy on Monday morning after missing the 4-0 Barclays Premier League victory against Aston Villa with a groin injury.

Michael Carrick, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs all travelled after coming off on Saturday with knocks.

Mikael Silvestre was a surprise addition to the party after recovering from a knee ligament injury, sustained in September.

However Nani was again missing and ruled out of the first-leg match because of a thigh strain.

Meanwhile, Paul Scholes has named Cristiano Ronaldo as his best ever team-mate in a glorious 14-year career at Manchester United.

It is a remarkable tribute to the Portugal winger, who is looking to improve on his 35-goal tally against Roma.

Scholes has played alongside the likes of Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Mark Hughes and David Beckham, not to mention the evergreen Ryan Giggs, collecting seven Premier League winners medals in the process.

However, it is Ronaldo that gets the midfielder's vote as his top team-mate at Old Trafford.

Scholes, who is due to make his 99th Champions League appearance in Italy, said: "I've been quite lucky to have played with a lot of great players.

"Cristiano has to be at the top now, purely for what he has done this season. Scoring the amount of goals from his position has been nothing short of amazing.

"It is not just that, though, it is the way he makes chances and the threat he poses to other teams.''

Ronaldo has not just reserved his scoring form for the domestic game either.

He has bagged six in seven Champions League matches heading into the quarter-final encounter.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is looking for Ronaldo to maintain his momentum as they go for glory at home and abroad.

Ferguson said: "You have to remember Cristiano has only just turned 23.

"We have seen a development in every part of his game in domestic football.

"That's why we are delighted to bring a player back to Rome who has made an incredible improvement in the last year.

"Cristiano's goalscoring performances have been a big advantage to us as we all know.''

Meanwhile, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti is confident his side can overcome the absence of Francesco Totti and beat a Manchester United side he rates as the "best in the world''.

The Giallorossi take on United at the Stadio Olimpico without skipper Totti, who has been ruled out due to a thigh injury.

Spalletti believes his Serie A high-flyers have enough quality, however, to beat the Barclays Premier League leaders without their talisman.

"Totti is Totti,'' he said. "But a team that is not able to play without a player does not have the right mentality.

"To have reached this stage of the competition means we have a strong team even without Totti.

"I have a lot of confidence in my players, who I am sure will take on more responsibility as they have done in the past when we have played without Totti.''

Mirko Vucinic will lead the attack in Totti's absence and Spalletti knows the Montenegrin forward will be up to the task.

"We are all ready, including Vucinic,'' he said. "Vucinic has helped us win games and I am sure he is determined and ready.''

"This review is collected from ESPN."