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 Saturday’s 3-2 win over Genoa in Serie A at the weekend, will lead Roma’s attack in his absence.

With United favourites to qualify, manager Alex Ferguson might rest Ferdinand after he was injured in Sunday’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 United’s medical staff did not say how long he might be out of action. Having already lost Ferdinand’s defensive partner Nemanja Vidic for at least two weeks, a serious injury to Ferdinand was the last thing Ferguson needed.

Clear favourites

Despite United’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 Roma’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.

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