No Totti threat for United

Injured Roma captain not part of the Italian plan at Old Trafford; Messi, Deco doubtful for Barca

Manchester United could be without defender Rio Ferdinand while AS Roma will definitely be without striker Francesco Totti when the teams meet in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.

Roma, 2-0 down from the first leg in Italy last week, were hoping club captain Totti might recover from the thigh strain that kept him out of that match but, despite conflicting reports about his fitness, they travelled to England without him. Mirko Vucinic, who scored with a superb dipping shot from 20 metres out in Saturday8217;s 3-2 win over Genoa in Serie A at the weekend, will lead Roma8217;s attack in his absence.

With United favourites to qualify, manager Alex Ferguson might rest Ferdinand after he was injured in Sunday8217;s 2-2 Premier League draw at Middlesbrough. Ferguson had feared the worst after watching the England defender limp off in the second half but a scan on Monday revealed he had not broken a bone in his foot, although United8217;s medical staff did not say how long he might be out of action. Having already lost Ferdinand8217;s defensive partner Nemanja Vidic for at least two weeks, a serious injury to Ferdinand was the last thing Ferguson needed.

Clear favourites

Despite United8217;s worries at the back, it would be a major shock if they failed to advance. A year ago this week, at the same stage of the competition, United demolished Roma 7-1 at Old Trafford and the English side have never lost a home match in Europe by more than the two goals Roma require to advance. They also beat Roma 1-0 at Old Trafford in the group stage in October this season and have not lost at home in Europe for three years. Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani is in Roma8217;s squad but is a doubt after missing the Genoa game with a foot problem, while defender Matteo Ferrari is out with a knee injury.

Despite all that, Brazilian winger Rodrigo Taddei is optimistic about Roma8217;s chances of reversing the first-leg defeat. 8220;I8217;m sure that if we play our best we can go to Old Trafford and reach the semi-finals,8221; Taddei, who missed last year8217;s 7-1 drubbing after straining a muscle in the warm-up, told Sky Italia television.

8220;We know that it will be very difficult, but there are still 90 minutes to go and we8217;ll play them all. Apart from the night of the seven goals, the games have always been evenly balanced between us.8221; Roma regain midfielder Simone Perrotta from suspension and Brazilian defender Juan should be back in the starting line-up after returning from an ankle injury to come on as a substitute against Genoa.

Barca call for fans8217; support

Barcelona are calling for their supporters to rally round the team for their quarter-final decider at home to Schalke 04 on following weekend protests at their recent performances. Barca won the first leg 1-0 in Germany last week with a Bojan Krkic goal but they have won just one of their last six league games. They were given the white handkerchief treatment at the end of Sunday8217;s 0-0 draw at home to Getafe, while several hundred fans staged a demonstration to voice their discontent with the president, players and coach Frank Rijkaard.

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8220;This team needs support if it is to pick itself up,8221; Rijkaard said. 8220;I8217;ve never got carried away when things are going well and I don8217;t like seeing everything as being negative either.8221; Argentine centre-back Gabriel Milito is doubtful after experiencing a recurrence of a groin problem during the weekend. Ronaldinho is out for six weeks with a pulled muscle, while Lionel Messi is still out of action.