Far Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo may return after injury for Manchester United when the English champions begin their Champions League defence in their opening Group E encounter against Villarreal on Wednesday.
"Ronaldo is coaching now, is the first team. He's come leaps and bounds and I could take him with us tomorrow, who knows?" Manager Alex Ferguson told United's website (www.manutd.com) on Sunday.
United, aiming to become the first club to win the Champions League consecutive titles from the elite competition was reformed in 1992, will be without suspended midfielder Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick, who injured the ankle Saturday. In the other match of Group E on Wednesday, Scottish champions Celtic are favourites to win their opening match of Danish origin against Champions League debutants AAB Aalborg.
Liverpool are expected to capitalize on its first league win at United under coach Rafa Benitez when they travel to Olympique Marseille on Tuesday. "Now we will go to Marseilles in a good mood. That was our best performance of the season and now feel we can go into a Champions League good heart and spirit," Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez told reporters after Saturday, 2 to 1 win.
The 2005 Champions League winners have fitness concern over the captain Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano. Gerrard came off the bench on Saturday after a groin operation, while Spanish international Torres stayed on the bench after having suffered a hamstring injury late last month. Argentina midfielder Mascherano limp with a calf problem.
Former champions Liverpool Marseilles met in the group stage last season, winning 1-0 at Anfield before being Thrash 4-0 at home. Also in Group D, Dutch champion PSV Eindhoven host athletes from Madrid.
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