Manchester United v Rangers Preview

Rangers players warm up during a training session at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England, September 13, 2010. Rangers are set to play Manchester United in their Champions League group C soccer match on Tuesday. REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)
Tonight Manchester United will kick-off their UEFA Champions League campaign against Scottish champions Rangers at Old Trafford. Man United and Rangers met back in the 2003 group stage of the Champions League, United won 1-0 at Ibrox and 3-0 at Old Trafford.

After a very disappointing end to the Premier League game against Fulham on Saturday, Sir Alex Ferguson will want the players to respond positively. Rangers on the other hand beat Hamilton Academical FC 2-1, scoring in the 90th minute.

The Scottish side crashed out of last season’s Champions League group stage after only managing to pick up two points, both of which came on their travels. They drew against VfB Stuttgart and FC Unirea Urziceni.

Man United made it to the quarter-finals where they were knocked out on the away goals by Bayern Munich. The first leg at the Allianz Arena finished 2-1 to Bayern, the second leg at Old Trafford finished 3-2 to Man United.

After being left out at the weekend, striker Wayne Rooney is expected to be recalled to the squad. Rio Ferdinand could also return after recovering from an injury, which he picked up during an England training session days before the World Cup started. Michael Carrick will not play a part after being ruled out for 3-4 weeks with an achilles injury.

The visiting team is hoping that Steven Whittaker will have been able to recover from injury in time, there is less hope with Kirk Broadfoot who is rated as doubtful. Nikica Jelavic is ineligible to play.

Rangers go into the game in many peoples eyes as clear underdogs, Man United have lost only once in the last 25 European matches at Old Trafford, whilst Rangers have only managed one win in four visits on English soil.

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