Raul ruled out of United clash

Raul has been ruled out of Real Madrid’s Champions League quarter final second leg tie with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday after undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis.

Raul, who has just recovered from an ankle injury, would have equalled United right-back Gary Neville’s Champions League appearance record of 78 appearances had he made the showdown.

The 25-year-old had been named in the squad to travel to Manchester on Monday lunch-time after successfully coming through a gym session in the morning.

Real’s feted number seven has made 11 appearances in the competition so far this season and has played in three winning finals for the Spanish side, scoring in the 2000 and 2002 finals.

Raul scored twice in the quarter-final first-leg clash in Spain helping Real to a 3-1 lead over Alex Ferguson’s men.

He is also the second highest goalscorer in the Champions League with nine goals, two behind Ruud Van Nistelrooy.