Rangers welcome Manchester United to Ibrox currently sitting in third place in Group C and knowing that two wins from their final two games are imperative if they are to have any chance of making the knock-out stages.
Whilst the final game for the Scots is away at the group’s whipping boys Bursapor, that match will be rendered all but meaningless should they fall to defeat to Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges.
Yet Rangers will take on the Premier League outfit with confidence having held them, comfortably it must be said, to a goalless draw at Old Trafford back in September.
The Scottish champions are also unbeaten at home in the Champions League this season, Bursaspor were despatched 1-0 and Valencia were held to a 1-1 draw.
Whilst the point against the Spaniards appeared a good result, the Scots will surely rue that draw now as had it not been for a Maurice Edu own goal and some profligate finishing from Kenny Miller, the Gers would have secured a vital win and with it a real chance of making the knockout stages.
Out To Make A Point
The visitors, meanwhile, sit top of the group with 10 points and only need a draw to confirm their progression having beaten Bursaspor home and away and Valencia at the Mestalla following their opening draw to Rangers.Whilst the final game for the Scots is away at the group’s whipping boys Bursapor, that match will be rendered all but meaningless should they fall to defeat to Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges.
Yet Rangers will take on the Premier League outfit with confidence having held them, comfortably it must be said, to a goalless draw at Old Trafford back in September.
The Scottish champions are also unbeaten at home in the Champions League this season, Bursaspor were despatched 1-0 and Valencia were held to a 1-1 draw.
Whilst the point against the Spaniards appeared a good result, the Scots will surely rue that draw now as had it not been for a Maurice Edu own goal and some profligate finishing from Kenny Miller, the Gers would have secured a vital win and with it a real chance of making the knockout stages.
Out To Make A Point
Sir Alex Ferguson opted to field virtually a reserve side for the reverse fixture but may look for a more experienced line-up and will hope for a better outcome from the game at Old Trafford that was notable not for the drab football on show, but for the horrific injury suffered by Antonio Valencia.
While the Red Devils have rarely hit the heights this season, they are still unbeaten, and with eight wins from their last nine away games in the Champions League, will be favourites to depart Glasgow with their progression to the next round safely ensured.
TEAM NEWS
Rangers
A hamstring injury rules Madjid Bougherra out of the tie, with the centre-back set to miss the next three weeks, and he joins Maurice Edu, who is suffering from a knee problem, James Beattie and Andy Webster on the sidelines.However, there is some good news as Sasa Papac could return, despite missing Rangers’ last two games against Aberdeen and Kilmarnock with a head injury.
Possible starting XI: McGregor; Foster, Weir, Broadfoot, Whittaker; Weiss, Davis, McCulloch, Naismith, Lafferty; Miller.
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted Wayne Rooney will start for the visitors and he may be joined by Ryan Giggs who has recovered from a hamstring problem and is expected to be named in the squad.Rafael remains a doubt at right-back for the visitors and Paul Scholes could also feature having begun the win against Wigan on the bench. However, expect changes from the weekend, although not perhaps the 10 United made the last time they faced Rangers.
Possible starting XI: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Smalling, Evra; Nani, Fletcher, Gibson, Giggs, Park; Rooney.
Prediction
The match at Old Trafford between these two sides was a drab affair but Rangers are expected to adopt a more attacking approach, and with a fervent home support roaring them on, should prove a different proposition altogether.
The visitors are difficult to predict at the moment, although away from home they have become draw specialists and with a just a point needed will no doubt be more than happy with another stalemate.
The visitors are difficult to predict at the moment, although away from home they have become draw specialists and with a just a point needed will no doubt be more than happy with another stalemate.
Rangers 1-1 Man Utd. 
