Ramblings of a Red Fan

With all that comes from still being in three major competitions at this stage of the season, Manchester United have the luxury of putting out a well-rested side against Marseille as their second-string came out winners against Arsenal in the FA Cup on Saturday.

United hardly broke a sweat at Old Trafford against the Gunners and the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov were given a break from the rigours of continual football as Sir Alex Ferguson's men look to continue their fight for silverware on three fronts.

Poor in the first leg in Marseille, United will be favourites on their home turf and are unbeaten in the Champions League this season. They are also safe in the knowledge that no French team has ever won at Old Trafford in 12 attempts and that they have the best defensive record in the competition, having conceded just a single goal.
However, their French opponents are miserly in defence as well and have not conceded a goal in their last 512 minutes of Champions League football. OM have also allowed their opponents just 13 shots on target, a record this season in the competition, and have proved themselves a hard side to break down.

With playmaker-in-chief Mathieu Valbuena back in the side after a spell out through injury, Didier Deschamps' men will have more creativity, but still face a huge task if they are to upset United and seal their place in the quarter-finals.
After the drudgery of the first-leg, thankfully Sir Alex has seen fit to reassure the fans that history should not repeat itself. "The last game was a terrible game, a shocking match," he said. "I enjoyed the atmosphere but I didn't enjoy the game and it will be a better game on Tuesday.''

Manchester United player to watch: Darren Fletcher. After United's meek midfield surrender at Anfield, where Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes proved incapable of containing or penetrating their opponents, the reputation of Darren Fletcher grew a notch. A vital shield in front of the back four, Fletcher also provides a canny link between midfield and attack. His sheer energy should help disrupt Marseille's ball players while he occasionally pops up to goalscoring effect in the penalty area.

Marseille player to watch: Mathieu Valbuena. The 28-year-old is being nursed back into first team action after a recent spell out through injury, completing just 34 minutes in Marseille's last three games, but if the cultured playmaker can shake off any lasting ring rust he has the quality to unpick United's defence. Blessed with a wand-like right boot, he will look to drift into space and exploit gaps in between United's centre backs and full backs.

Key Battle: Lucho Gonzalez v Chris Smalling: If Valbuena is fit to start it should ease the creative burden on Lucho, a big money signing who has repaid some of that faith to good effect in Ligue 1. While the Argentinean tends to pull the strings from deep, he also has a fondness for late breaks into the box. Smalling will have to be alert to midfield runners and time his tackles well, something he didn't manage to do when United were shot down by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, conceding the decisive penalty by tripping Yuri Zhirkov. Against Arsenal, however, he looked assured and confident.

Trivia: Marseille are, so far, the only French team to have won the UEFA Champions League - in 1993.

Stats: Manchester United have won their last nine home matches, Marseille have won their last two away in the Champions League, scoring ten goals in the process.

Odds: Manchester United (1.40), Marseille (7.50) and the draw (4.30) aer all on offer at bet365 with United to win from behind coming in at 7.00.
Prediction: Despite their recent wobbles on the road in the Premier League, United are still formidable at home in Europe, and Marseille do not have a history of travelling well. A comfortable home win.