Champions League preview: Rangers FC receive Manchester United in Glasgow
Two teams vying to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions League go head to head as Rangers FC host Manchester United at Glasgow's Ibrox Stadium on Wednesday 24 November.
Rangers had their unbeaten run in Europe ended by Valencia in the last round as the Scottish champions were forced to relinquish their second place in the group.
Should Valencia overcome Bursaspor in Wednesday's other Group C fixture, Rangers have to beat United to stand a chance of reaching the knock-out stages.
Walter Smith's team have dropped only two points with 14 games played in the Scottish Premier League, but the Champions League provides Rangers with opposition of a higher calibre.
United need only a point to secure qualification, and Sir Alex Ferguson's team will not want to be pressured ahead of their last group game against Valencia on 7 December.
In September's meeting at Old Trafford, Smith fielded a team that stifled all of United's offensive creativity at the expense of their own attacking impetus to earn a goalless draw.
Smith has previously served as Ferguson's assistant, both for the Scottish national team at the 1986 World Cup and at United for part of the 2003–04 season.
During his spell at Everton between 1998 and 2002, Smith earned one draw and seven defeats in his side's eight meeting with United.
Rooney set to return for United
Wayne Rooney is likely to return to United's starting lineup after featuring as a substitute against Wigan Athletic on Saturday 20 November. The striker has only one goal in eight appearances for United
this seaon.
Rooney is likely to be partnered by Dimitar Berbatov, who was rested against Wigan in anticipation of the midweek fixture.
Ryan Giggs, who scored United's goal as the team's drew 1–1 at Ibrox during the 2008–09 season, could also return for United after spending the full 90 minutes on the bench against Wigan.
Midfielder Anderson is still a doubt with a knee problem, while Antonio Valencia, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Owen remain unavailable to Ferguson.
Rangers striker Kenny Miller will be looking to continue his goalscoring form after bagging a hat-trick at Kilmarnock on Saturday 20 November.
The Scottish team will be boosted by the return of defender Sasa Papac, while midfielder Steven Davis is set to recover from the ankle knock he picked up against Kilmarnock.
Ferguson aims to extend strong away record
United have won eight of their last nine away games in the Champions League. But if that outstanding record were to be broken, the fiery atmosphere at Ibrox would be a suitable setting.
When the sides met during the 2003–04 season, Phil Neville's early goal helped United overcome the deafening chants, and Ferguson said he is hoping for another early goal on Wednesday.
"The early goal at Ibrox from Phil Neville killed the crowd that night," the manager told reporters ahead of the game. "But that's what playing Rangers at Ibrox is like, the atmosphere is always so volatile.
If you don't get off to a good start then it can be a long, hard night. It will be the same on Wednesday."
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