Barcelona v Man Utd preview

[Lazie]

Manchester United will be looking to earn an advantage against Barcelona as they travel to Camp Nou for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final, a game which can be seen live on Sky Sports 2.


It is United's first return to the stadium since they beat Bayern Munich in an extraordinary final in 1999 but Sir Alex Ferguson has urged his players to forget about the past and shape their own destiny.

Current form suggests that United should be strong enough to edge out Barcelona over two legs, as they are unbeaten in nine games in all competitions.

United have opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League and have made serene progress through to the last four of the Champions League.

They lost out to Milan at the same stage 12 months ago but Ferguson is confident that he has a stronger squad at his disposal this time around.


Vidic doubt



Ferguson's biggest concern is the fitness of defender Nemanja Vidic, who has been struggling with a knee injury of late and also had a stomach complaint on Tuesday which forced him to miss training.

If he fails to recover it is likely that Wes Brown will be switched into the centre, with Gary Neville or John O'Shea coming in to make up the back four.

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar missed United's 1-1 draw with Blackburn at the weekend but has travelled with the rest of the squad after shaking off a groin strain.

Wayne Rooney suffered a hip injury at Ewood Park but Ferguson has confirmed that he is fit to feature in Spain.

Owen Hargreaves and Anderson are also in contention after they were ruled out of the Blackburn match with minor injuries.

Cristiano Ronaldo has earned rave reviews for his performances this season but the Portuguese winger will have to share the stage with Barcelona's own superstar Lionel Messi on Wednesday.


Messi boost



Messi has made just two substitute appearances since returning from a thigh injury but has been passed fit.

Frank Rijkaard has also been boosted by the news that midfielder Deco has recovered from a calf injury, while Thierry Henry is available following a fever.

Rafael Marquez had been doubtful with a foot problem but the Mexican seems set to partner Gabriel Milito in defence.

Barcelona have fallen 11 points off the pace in the Primera Liga and have not won any of their last four domestic matches.

They were impressive in seeing off Celtic in the last 16 of the Champions League but laboured to a 2-0 aggregate success against Schalke in the quarter-finals.

[Lazie]

Injury scares leave United in a sweat before Barcelona test

Sir Alex Ferguson faces taking Manchester United into the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona this evening without half of his usual defence. Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown were both conspicuous by their absence when United trained at Camp Nou last night and the two defenders will need to pass late fitness tests if they are to face Frank Rijkaard's team.

Vidic missed the entire session for treatment of the knee injury suffered in the quarter-final against Roma three weeks ago and he is also suffering from a stomach bug. Brown was able to take part in some light jogging but watched from the sidelines as the first-team bibs were handed out for a practice match.

Ferguson is still hopeful that both players will be available but their inability to train will cause consternation ahead of a game in which he expects United's defence to be put under sustained pressure.
Vidic in particular is hugely important for United, his partnership with Rio Ferdinand being one of the principal reasons why the team have the best defensive statistics in English football. His place in training yesterday was taken by Gerard Piqué, a former Barcelona youth team player, while John O'Shea filled in for Brown at right-back.

The fit-again Mikaël Silvestre is also available but playing him would be a major gamble given that he has started only one match since recovering from a serious knee injury that ruled him out for seven months. Piqué's involvement would also worry many United supporters. The 21-year-old is inexperienced at this level and Ferguson intends to give Vidic as long as possible to prove his fitness.

The Serbian international will undergo medical tests today and has indicated that, if he is permitted to by the club's doctors, he will play even if he is not feeling fully fit. That, however, would represent another gamble, with United playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in a match that will go a long way to deciding the outcome of the Premier League.