Manchester  - Manchester United are set to confirm themselves as Roma's nightmare when they welcome the Italians Wednesday for the return leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

The Premiership leaders won the first leg in Rome 2-0, which all but settled the affair ahead of the date at Old Trafford where they hammered Roma 7-1 last season to advance from the same round.

The two sides also met in the group stage of the current edition, with United winning 1-0 at home and drawing 1-1 in Italy.

Roma and the 3,500 fans expected to follow them still hope for a miracle at Old Trafford despite the injury layoff of captain Francesco Totti.

Coach Luciano Spalletti, however, has Brazilian Juan again fit to play as central defender and midfielder Simone Perrotta back from suspension.

Right after the defeat in Rome, Spalletti said that "those who don't believe in a reversal should not come to Manchester," a statement that his men seem to have well understood.

Bruno Conti, a former international now acting as club official, said that nothing is over for Roma, both in the Serie A, where they trail leaders Inter Milan by four points, and in the Champions League.

"In Manchester I want to see motivated footballers," Conti said. "As long as we are in the fray, we give up nothing."

The league weekend saw Roma struggle to a late 3-2 home win over Genoa, while United drew 2-2 away to Middlesbrough to see Chelsea move to within three points.

The two-time trophy winners may be weakened in defence as Rio Ferdinand is almost certain to miss the game due to a foot injury.

He joined Nemanja Vidic on the team's injured list, making Gerard Pique the man most likely to play alongside Wes Brown, who is set to move into the centre of the defence from right back.

"Pique came on (against Middlesbrough) and did brilliantly," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said. "He was marvellous. The lad's a terrific player. We've got great confidence in the lad and he's come through very well."

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, though, said the loss of Vidic was a big blow to United.

"Of course we miss him, he is a very important player for us," he said. "It is no coincidence that with Vidic absent we had some problems, but the players who came in did OK."

Ferguson has no problems upfront as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were both on target against Middlesbrough as they were in Rome. (dpa)