Miller to start for United

Liam Miller was handed his first European start for Manchester United tonight as the Red Devils looked to consolidate their position at the top of Champions League Group D.

The former Celtic star has been plagued by injuries since his summer move south but with Cristiano Ronaldo rested after his below-par performance at Birmingham last Saturday, Alex Ferguson opted to hand the Irish international the right-midfield berth.

It was one of seven changes from the side which could only manage a goalless draw at St Andrews, including a totally different midfield as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and John O’Shea all returned.

Wayne Rooney was back too, for his second Champions League game, three weeks after his incredible Euro debut hat-trick against Fenerbahce.

Sparta have yet to gain a single point from their two matches so far but Karel Poborsky shrugged off a calf problem to play against his old club.