Manchester United Fans Club

Just as we celebrate good news with Wayne Rooney returning to the squad, my earlier post was about Carlos Queiroz hinting he may quit in December.

Cristiano Ronaldo will makes his return to his former club, United chief fears Ronaldo is being targeted by referees because of his extreme talent and success and Ferguson concern were only heightened when he was informed excitable German referee Herbert Fandel was in charge.

Fandel has played all the wrong notes for Ferguson in the past, sending off Roy Keane during a stormy last 16 tussle with FC Porto three years ago before producing another red card to get rid of Paul Scholes in last season’s quarter-final first leg against Roma.

For the first time Ferguson are having Saha, Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo for selection. Saha has only 72 minutes of leagues action under his belt so it would be fair to say Tevez is certain to start as lone striker with Giggs support from behind, Ronaldo on the right. Saha probably will come in during the second half, with Rooney only making the bench unless there is a emergency that require his service.

Another Sporting Lisbon homegrown talents - Luis Nani, is certain to start the games in the left side of midfield. Owen Hargreaves didn’t make the trip to Lisbon, hence, in midfield engine room we will see Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick.

The defence will be the same as Everton’s game minus the injured Silvestre who is out of the season with cruciate knee ligament injury. Patrice Evra will play in his natural position after playing in the wing midfield for some 20 minutes.

With United lacking the killer instinct in front of goal recently, don’t expect a big scoreline in this match.

United probable line up: Van der Sar (G), Wes Brown (D), Nemanja Vidic (D), Rio Ferdinand (D), Patrice Evra (D), Michael Carrick (M) Paul Scholes (M), Cristiano Ronaldo (M), Luis Nani (M), Ryan Giggs (F) , Carlos Tevez (S).

Venue: Jose Alvalade, 19:45 UK
Predict Score: Sporting Lisbon 0 - 1 Manchester United