Date: Tuesday, 5th March Venue: Old Trafford K/o: 19:45
Team News
Manchester United are likely to be without Phil Jones after the defender injured his ankle against Reading in the FA Cup while Rio Ferdinand has been suffering from illness. Paul Scholes is out with a knee injury but Sir Alex Ferguson has an otherwise fully fit side to select from. Injured goalkeeper Iker Casillas has travelled to Manchester but the Spain No.1 is unlikely to feature, meaning Diego Lopez will continue to deputise in goal. Pepe played in midfield against Barcelona at the weekend and is pushing for a start.
Match Preview
This blockbuster encounter scarcely needs an introduction. The spotlight will well and truly shine on former Red Devil Cristiano Ronaldo, who's return to Old Trafford for the first time since laving for Madrid in a world-record-smashing £80 million deal will act as an intriguing sub-plot for what is already the stand-out tie of this stage of the Champions League. The two European heavyweights drew the first leg 1-1 and Danny Welbeck's header means the hosts have a wonderful advantage with an away-goal which may yet prove pivotal. Ronaldo's own headed goal however means this tie is balanced on a knife's edge, and Real's back-to-back wins over Barcelona in the space of a week means it would be folly for United to have one eye on the quarter finals. United have only progressed once on the away-goals rule in European competition - against Dukla Prague in the 1983/84 European Cup-Winners' Cup - and will have to be on top form against the reigning Spanish Champions. Another sub-plot for this clash could be Ryan Giggs' 1,000th senior appearance for club and country, and the Welshman could not have hoped to mark such an occasion on such grand a stage.
Likely Line-Ups
Manchester United de Gea, Rafael, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Valencia, van Persie
Real Madrid Lopez, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao, Arbeloa, Khedira, Alonso, Ozil, Di Maria, Benzema, Ronaldo Source:
Official Website of Manchester United