Man Utd v Porto preview

Published: 07 Apr 2009 - 10:38:40

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Manchester United welcome back three key players for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg tie with Porto at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Memories of the Portuguese champions knocking United out at the last-16 stage in 2004 are still fresh in the memory for many Red Devils fans. Then under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, Porto grabbed a last-minute goal to draw 1-1 at the Theatre of Dreams to seal a 3-2 aggregate win, sending the 'Special One' dancing down the touchline. The Portuguese side went on to be crowned European champions that year but since then, this season is the first time they have progressed further than the first knockout round. Sir Alex Ferguson's side welcome back Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic after all sat out of the weekend's dramatic 3-2 win over Aston Villa through suspension. Vidic will be welcomed back with open arms after the United defence struggled to cope with the aerial threat of John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor on Sunday. But his regular centre-back partner Rio Ferdinand, who also missed the Villa clash with a groin injury, has failed to recover in time and has been ruled out. Striker Dimitar Berbatov is also out after injuring his ankle in the 2-0 defeat to Fulham before the international break. Winger Park Ji-sung was an unused substitute against Martin O'Neill's men and he is likely to start on Tuesday. Sunday's match-winner Federico Macheda may be given the opportunity to shine again as he will start on the bench. Defenders Rafael (ankle) and Wes Brown (foot) remain sidelined while Owen Hargreaves (knee) is the only long-term absentee. Porto defender Christian Sapunaru is a doubt after injuring his ankle at the weekend but he has still been selected in the 19-man squad. Midfielder Freddy Guarin is expected to start after he has recovered from a sprained ankle. Lisandro Lopez will also return after he was ruled out of Saturday's win over Guimaraes through suspension. But Porto will be without their captain Pedro Emanuel and Nelson Benitez with both injured. Jorge Fucile is also sidelined with injury while teenage ace Rabiola has been left out of the squad altogether.