Saha replaces Tevez for United

Alex Ferguson hands Louis Saha his first start since February as Manchester United square up to AS Roma once more in the Champions League at Old Trafford tonight.

The last time the Italians visited the Theatre of Dreams six months ago they suffered an absolute nightmare, conceding an incredible seven goals.

That is as much as United have managed in eight league games this season, so Ferguson reverted to a strike pairing of Saha and Wayne Rooney, with Carlos Tevez and Ryan Giggs among those on the bench.

Although Nemanja Vidic was passed fit, Wes Brown misses out, so John O’Shea slots in at right-back while Owen Hargreaves does not even make the substitutes.

Man Utd: Kuszczak, O’Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Nani, Saha, Rooney.

Subs: Heaton, Anderson, Giggs, Pique, Simpson, Tevez, Eagles.

Roma: Curci, Cicinho, Mexes, Juan, Tonetto, De Rossi, Aquilani, Giuly, Perrotta, Mancini, Totti.

Subs: Bertagnoli, Pizarro, Vucinic, Antunes, Esposito, Barusso, Brighi.

Referee: Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain).