UCL: Man Utd v Porto Preview

lucho gonzalez

Manchester United welcome back three key players for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg tie with Porto at Old Trafford tonight.

Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic all return after sitting out the weekend’s dramatic 3-2 win over Aston Villa through suspension.

Rio Ferdinand has failed to recover in time and has been ruled out. Winger Park Ji-sung is likely to start with youngster Federico Macheda keeping the bench warm.

In 2004 Porto knocked United out at the last-16 stage under Jose Mourinho. They went on to be crowned European champions that year.

Can they pull off another shock in 2009? Here’s a few stats to help you decide.

- Porto have won only three of 14 matches against English opponents in the Champions League, losing six and drawing one of the away matches.

- Porto have conceded 20 goals in the seven away games in the Champions League against English clubs and kept no clean sheets.

- United have won 15 and lost none of their last 19 Champions League matches at Old Trafford.

- Man Utd are unbeaten in their last 21 Champions League matches, but their win over Inter was their only victory in the last five games in the competition.

- Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have kept 11 clean sheets in their last 14 Champions League matches.

- Porto have kept no clean sheets in their last seven Champions League away games and conceded four in each of their last two trips to England.

- Rio Ferdinand & co have conceded the fewest goals so far in the competition – three.

- Porto’s Argentinean striker Lisandro Lopez has scored five goals in his side’s last four Champions League games and six in total in the competition this season.

Posted on April 7, 2009 | Filed Under Football