Manchester United vs. FC Porto - Match Preview

After the 2-1 defeat in Portugal, with Benedict McCarthy tearing our frail defence apart, United face an uphill task against a Porto side who are still unbeaten in their national league, and following an impressive attacking display in the first leg are now looking to conquer Europe.

Following a few below-par results and below-par performances the general media and much of the British public seem to have written off United's chances of winning any silverware at the end of the season. This is not true, and it is important we get behind the team at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening, because despite a knock in confidence the ability is there to go on and win the trophies. We are unbeaten in 18 Champions League matches at Old Trafford, so the statistics look good, but Sir Alex Ferguson is refusing to get overly confident.

"Given our home record we have to be confident. but as is the case with all the European games we have here, there's a job to be done." said the United boss.

"There is very little between the teams but you would have to think we would improve dramatically on the performance in Portugal."

If United do advance to the quarter-finals it will have to be done without influential skipper Roy Keane, who was dismissed in the closing stages of the defeat in Portugal for a stamp on Porto 'keeper Vitor Baia. The Irishman looks likely to only be banned for one European match, so he will almost certainly be eligible to play in the last eight of the competition should we get past Porto.

United will also have to do without South African Quinton Fortune, who scored United's vital and only goal against Jose Mourinho's side due to a knee injury.

Defenders Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre are both expected to play in this crucial fixture after missing a few games due to suspension for Neville and injury for Silvestre. Midfielder Costinha is back for Porto after serving his suspension.

One-to-watch: Paulo Ferreira

Ferreira, 25, was incredibly impressive during Porto's UEFA Cup campaign, which they eventually won and is rumored to be attracting interest from all around the globe. The right-back was quite recently named in the UEFA Team Of The Year and will be looking to orchestrate the defence well to stop van Nistelrooy and Saha. Also, keep an eye on Benni McCarthey, who will caused havoc amongst the United defence.