Glasgow Rangers Match Preview

Emotions will be high, particularly for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson who takes on his former club. His opposite number Alex McLeish used to play under Ferguson at Aberdeen, when the Dons went won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983.

Rangers currently top Group E after taking an impressive 4 points from their opening qualification matches. A 2-1 home victory to Stuttgart and a battling 1-1 draw against Panathanikos in Greece has given 'Gers supporters hope that they can compete at this level.

Rangers have competed in the European Cup an impressive 22 times, although it's hardly surprising seeing as for many years the Scottish top flight has been contested for between the two Glasgow giants with little challenge from elsewhere, and now both the top two sides gain qualification anyway! Madness!

However, the SPL Treble winners have failed to make an impact in Europe over recent seasons, despite continual success on the domestic front. Their best performance came in 1992/1993, when they just missed the final after finishing second in the final group stage behind Olympique Marseille, with their finest honour in any European competition coming in 1972 when they lifted the Cup Winners' Cup.

United know a defeat would leave them facing an uphill challenge to qualify for the next stage of the competition after the disappointment in Stuttgart, and Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear that his side must look for no less than three points.

"I would love to see Rangers qualify as runners-up to this group, but there will be no mercy tonight. We must get ourselves back on track after the defeat out in Germany." said a adamant Fergie.

Rangers enter this game with low confidence after failing to win in consecutive Scottish Premier League matches. The champions lost 1-0 to arch-rivals Glasgow Celtic at Ibrox on October 11th, and could only manage a score draw at Fir Park against Motherwell last Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson is set to make a number of changes to the United line-up, as he enters a tactical battle with close-friend and fellow Scotsman McLeish. South African international Quinton Fortune is rated as highly doubtful to be fit for the clash, and is set to be replaced by John O'Shea in defence.

Winger Ryan Giggs is almost certain to return after missing the Leeds United game through injury, and Nicky Butt could also make his comeback from injury tonight.

The home side are without influential Dutch international Ronald de Boer, while defender Robert Malcolm is also struggling to be fit in time. Craig Moore and Fernando Ricksen both picked up knocks in Rangers' SPL game at Motherwell on the weekend, but Alex McLeish is hoping both will be fit enough to start.

The two clubs have met in three friendlies over the years, with the last being part of a pre-season tournament held at Ibrox in the early 1990's. Trouble between supporters that erupted after those games has increased the rivalry between the two giants, and the connection between United and Celtic that exists between some fans will add another edge to this encounter for the 'Gers faithful.

In tonight's other Champions League group E fixture, Panakthanikos visit Germany to take on Stuttgart. The visitors will know a win is vital against the Bundesliga outfit if they are to stand a realistic chance of qualifying for the last 16.

One to Watch - Mikel Arteta
The Spaniard is rated as the best young midfielders in Europe, and undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of him. The £6million man, who has been strongly linked with a move to Athletico Madrid in recent weeks, is likely to cause United problems with his direct passing and through balls.

ManUtdWeb Prediction - Glasgow Rangers 0-2 Manchester United
If you've read my other predictions, you'd see I'm a total pessimistic, but Rangers have been off form of late and I can see United coming away from Ibrox with an excellent three points!

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