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From BBC SPORT FOOTBALL:

Ferguson concern over Rome return


CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG
Venue: Stadio Olimpico Date: Tuesday, 1 April Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website & BBC Radio 5 Live
Ferguson took a training session with his players in Rome on Monday


Sir Alex Ferguson admits he is worried Manchester United's Champions League quarter-final against Roma could be marred by crowd trouble.
Police in Rome have mounted a major security operation ahead of Tuesday's game after violence during last season's meeting between the two.
"After the experience of last year it is a concern," Ferguson said.
"But I think the police have been working hard to ensure it doesn't happen again."

News conference: Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson
The last two games between the sides in the Italian capital have been marred by crowd trouble and four United supporters are still in jail following violence last December.
Tournament organiser Uefa has warned it may take next year's final away from Rome if there is any repeat of those scenes.

Last time I gave Ferguson some great wine as a gift, but this time there will be no wine and no gifts


Luciano Spalletti
Roma boss

A Uefa spokesman said: "There has been great progress made inside Rome's Olympic Stadium but the attacks one kilometre from the stadium worry us.
"The police say they cannot control the city and that is not satisfactory. If we see a repeat of what we have seen so far it may be wise to move the 2009 Champions League final from Rome.
"Knifings are attempted murder. We cannot be held hostage by a few criminals."
Ferguson added: "For the reputation of both our teams we hope it is a good game, a competitive game.
"There is rivalry among the fans, there is nothing wrong with that, but as long as it stays the rivalry of supporting your own team then we can go home happy in the knowledge that everything has gone peacefully."
About 4,000 United fans have travelled to Italy for the game, and BBC Sport's John Murray, who is in Rome, said there had been no news of trouble overnight.

With Ronaldo and others, Ferguson is confident of success in Europe

United beat Roma 8-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals last season, with a 7-1 demolition of the Italian side at Old Trafford following a 2-1 defeat in Rome.
Roma boss Luciano Spalletti said: "Last time I gave Ferguson some great wine as a gift, but this time there will be no wine and no gifts - on the field or off the field," Spalletti said.
"We gave them seven last time and there can be no repeat. Manchester United are the best team in the world but we are motivated to beat them.
"United have some sensational players, but it is a long time since they have got a very important win abroad.
"They are fantastic at Old Trafford as they showed against us last year, but they are not quite the same away from home."
But Ferguson is optimistic his side can go all the way this season and add another Champions League title to the one United won in 1999.

This is probably my best squad ever in terms of completeness


Sir Alex Ferguson

"It is going to be hard but we have the players who can make us successful," he said.
"They are confident about expressing themselves and they enjoy playing.
"This is probably my best squad ever in terms of completeness.
"The one things these lads have is the quality to play on the big occasion. In that sense, it is like 1999.
"They are very confident - Nani, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Anderson, [Wayne] Rooney. It gives you hope they can handle big occasions like that.
"You want to see them express themselves and be fearless. I am not slightly worried about their temperament."
Ferguson said he felt Ronaldo, who has scored a remarkable 35 goals so far this season, was offered more protection from referees in European competition than he gets in England.

606: DEBATE
If we do beat Roma, I can't see it being pretty to watch or high scoring


JR

"In Spain and Italy there is far more protection for the player with the ball. That is good," he said.
"The English game is built on real passion and speed. You do not get these games every week in Europe.
"There it is played at a more leisurely pace, then speeds up in the last third.
"Our games sees a tackle every 30 seconds so there is more risk of injury.
"But the English game will change now. It has to after the incident involving the Arsenal player."
That was a reference to Croatian Eduardo da Silva, who is expected to be out for nine months after suffering a bad leg break in a tackle by Birmingham's Martin Taylor in February.

Roma talisman Totti will miss Tuesday's game against United

United warmed up for Tuesday's big game in Rome with a superb 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday to retain their lead five-point lead at the top of the Premiership.
Rooney ended his six-match goal drought with a brace against Villa and is expecting United to take their form into Europe.
"Roma is going to be a massive game for us and we prepared the right way with the win against Villa," said the England striker.
"To be at this club, with the football we play, is brilliant. It's something every player would want to be part of."
Spalletti, who is missing captain and talisman Francesco Totti through injury for the first leg, is confident his team will rise to the occasion this time against Ferguson's men.
"These are special games, which bring something extra out of the players," he said.
"We are, as always, well prepared with the right sort of calmness to go out and express the right characteristics and the right quality."