A collected thoughts from both team players.

[b]We spoke to Milan fan Luigi Maragliano, who also works in Milan's organising department, for his thoughts on the tie...

What was the reaction among Milan fans to the draw?
"AC Milan fans are very excited about this match. Matches like this will remain in the history of soccer. Although we have great respect for United we remained calm during the draw because we have complete faith and confidence in our team."

How much of a blow is the injury to Shevchenko?
"Andriy Shevchenko is very important for us, but in my opinion the real power of Milan is the unity of the entire team."

"Shevchenko is very important for us, but the real power of Milan is the unity of the entire team."
Luigi Maragliano,
AC Milan supporter

Which Milan players will be most dangerous to United?
"Our most dangerous players are Andriy Shevchenko, Kakà, Genarro Gattuso and our captain Mr Paolo Maldini. Gattuso is a very strong man on the field and a very nice person in normal life. He is one of the most popular players among the AC supporters."

Likewise, which United players are you worried about?
"I think that the most dangerous players for us are Ryan Giggs, Ruud van Nisterlooy and the soul and mind of United - Sir Alex Ferguson. Van Nisterlooy is a very powerful and technically gifted player, but our defenders are very experienced."

So you have faith in your rock-solid defence then?
"Our defenders are very strong and very experienced. They have played an awful lot of European matches and most of them played also in their respective national teams. They'll be careful with United forwards and they should cope. Jaap Stam had some problems when he first joined, but has now become a very important player for our team"

Old Trafford holds fond memories after your Final win in 2003...
"At Old Trafford we won one of the most important trophies in the world - all our players are very happy to came back in Manchester to play in what is, in my opinion, the most charming stadium in the world."

What is your prediction for the tie?

"I don't know who will play the quarters final. I'm only sure that will be an
absolutely fantastic game."




Just to underline the daunting task facing United in their bid to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, ManUtd.com looks at AC Milan's star-studded squad.

Andriy Shevchenko may well be absent from Wednesday's first-leg last 16 tie, but the Milan's squad is endowed with quality.

Here, ManUtd.com looks at the components that make up one of the favourites for this season's European Cup crown. Our departmental review of the Rossoneri highlights the quality in-depth at the disposal of coach Carlo Ancelotti...

Defence
Milan's miserly reputation is built on a solid, experienced defence. Although Maldini and Costacurta have been around long enough to notch 185 Italian caps between them, they are still synonymous with resilience and impenetrability.

Even at the ripe old age of 34, you can still count on two-time Brazilian World Cup winner Cafu to bomb up and down the right flank like a teenager. Such was (and still is) his energy, that fans at his former club Roma labelled him 'Il Pendolino' - 'The Express Train.' Rest assured, though, he is more deserving of the name than ex-Red Karel Poborsky.

Throw in Italian national captain Alessandro Nesta, ex-United rock Jaap Stam and the versatile Simic and you start to get a picture of just why they don't ship many goals. And this is without mentioning the fact that between the sticks they have the huge Brazilian No.1 Dida.
Midfield
Milan's midfield boasts a beautiful balance not too dissimilar to United's. For the Keane role of defensive curtain, they have ex-Rangers star Genarro Gattuso, who himself has been linked with a move to United as Keano's replacement - which gives you an indication of his abilities. Clarence Seedorf is another tough-tackling alternative who can always be relied on in the big games.

Andrea Pirlo acts as the skilful playmaker for both Milan and Italy, and unfortunately for United seems set to play after recovering from a knee injury. Club-record signing Rui Costa showed with his stunning Euro 2004 strike against England that he can produce magic from thin air, while sensational Brazilian duo Kaka and Serginho add flair to the Milan midfield with their dazzling skills. In short, the guile and grace is mixed in equal measures. Like a jewel-encrusted boulder, if you will.

Attack
Here's the good news - European Player of the Year Andriy Shevchenko misses the first leg of the tie after sustaining a fractured cheekbone against Calgiari. And now for the bad news - Milan's other three strikers have over a wealth of big-game experience and over 50 Champions League goals between them.

Despite an unremarkable debut season at Chelsea, on-loan Hernan Crespo remains one of the finest finishers in Europe and can always be backed to score in Champions League matches. Ex-Juventus striker Filippo Inzaghi is still the archetypal goal-poacher he always was, and he will be looking to pick up where he left off last time against United - when he scored twice in the Stadio Delle Alpi in the Reds' legendary 3-2 win.

Danish striker Jon-Dahl Tomasson is nothing like the forlorn figure which turned out for Newcastle for a season before heading to Holland. A bit-part player at the San Siro, but always a dangerous option who seems to revel on the big occasion.

The Boss
Former Juve coach Carlo Ancelotti boasts an impressive record at the helm of the Rossineri, having slipped to defeat only 34 times in 187 games. Since taking charge in November 2001, the Italian has won the Champions League, the Italian Cup and guided Milan to the Serie A title last season for the first time in five years.




Rio: We're In That Winning Groove



Rio Ferdinand insists he and his team-mates are well aware of the size of the task they face against AC Milan, but he is confident in the team's ability to get a positive result.

The Reds have lost just one of their last seventeen league and Cup games - the semi-final Carling Cup second leg defeat to Chelsea - conceding just four goals.

Ferdinand likens United's current run of form to that of 2003 when they came from behind to snatch the Premiership title from Arsenal's grasp thanks to unbeaten 18-game run.

"It's taken us a while to reach the level of consistency that we wanted and that we needed to be at," admitted the England international. "But as we're seeing week in week out, I think we've reached that level now.

"During my season first here when we won the league we went on a great run towards the end of the season and were formidable both home and away.

"Obviously we lost out to Real Madrid in the Champions League but our Premiership form was fantastic and I think we're in that same kind of groove this season.

"We've been doing well in the league and continue to pick up three points when we require them every week. Hopefully that will continue for a long period of time and we can take that form into the Champions League as well.

"People have asked me who I would have liked us to get in the draw," added Ferdinand. "But I don't think it really matters at this stage of the competition.

"You don't need any kind of lift or push in the right direction when this kind of game comes along."
Rio Ferdinand

"All of the teams that reach the last 16 of the European Cup are going to be of a high standard and all of them will pose different problems in each game. So I didn't have any preferences.

"AC Milan have got great traditions and a great history just like ourselves. It makes for a great tie and I'm sure the fans and people involved at both clubs are eagerly anticipating a great game."

Ferdinand was part of the Leeds United side that reached that semi-finals of the Champions League back four years ago. The defender has great memories of that particular European campaign and is determined to go one better this time round.

"It would be fantastic to win it," insisted Ferdinand. "I remember feeling quietly confident when I was at Leeds after we'd played out a 0-0 draw at home to Valencia [in the first leg of the semi-final.] But it was a totally different game when we went over there and they played us off the park.

"Those kind of experiences stand you in good stead for the kind of game we've got with Milan and make you want to achieve more and strive on to win the Cup.

"You don't need any kind of lift or push in the right direction when this kind of game comes along, and no matter what the result is here at Old Trafford, we know we're going to have to go to Milan and play to the best of our form."



Roo: This Is Why I joined
Wayne Rooney hit back at the Everton boo-boys - insisting he is glad he joined Manchester United. The England star was taunted by home fans on his return to Goodison on Saturday. Roon faces AC Milan in the Champions League tonight. He said: "You won't take part in these games at Everton. That's why you move to a big club like United."
Neil Custis, The Sun

Hero Of The Siro
Wayne Rooney has vowed to dump AC Milan out of the Champions League in their own backyard. The Manchester United striker is the biggest threat to the Italian champions at Old Trafford tonight. But Rooney has set his sights on the second leg of this last-16 tie at the San Siro in a fortnight. The England star, 19, said: "I've never been. It's one of those place you just want to play at. If we get past Milan we've got a great chance of lifting the trophy."
Neil Custis, The Sun

Carroll In Deal Row
Manchester United keeper Roy Carroll goes into tonight’s clash with AC Milan after rejecting a second new contract offer. Carroll, who was hit by a coin at Everton on Saturday, now looks certain to leave Old Trafford in the summer. United's current No.1 is unhappy the second and latest offer from Old Trafford is based on pay-per-play conditions.
Neil Custis, The Sun

Carlo: Cunning May Fox United
Carlo Ancelotti last night claimed his Milan side are ready to hand Manchester United a lesson in Euro cunning. The Italian admits Red Devils boss Alex Ferguson has a strike-force equal to any in Europe. But Ancelotti insists United have a way to go before they can match his own side's technical nous. Ancelotti said: The two teams have different ways of playing the game. They are more attack-minded and take a more direct approach. But we're better technically and know how to keep possession. They believe they can win it but so do at least 10 of the remaining teams - including Milan."
Sports staff, The Sun

Suits You
Paul Scholes has revealed his enduring desire to win the Champions League after the heartache of being ruled out of Manchester United's 1999 triumph through suspension. United resume their quest for European glory against AC Milan at Old Trafford tonight, with Scholes determined to make up for missing out on that historic night in the Nou Camp. "I want to play in a Champions League final," said Scholes. "If there's a chance of winning the European Cup, then that would be brilliant. I want to finish my career at United. And if I could write the script, it would be to win the Treble again in the last year of my contract."
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror

Fergie Wrong, Storms Stam
Jaap Stam hit out at Sir Alex Ferguson last night by claiming the Manchester United boss made a huge mistake in forcing him out of Old Trafford. Stam was sold to Lazio in a shock move in the summer of 2001 after criticising Fergie in his autobiography. Now with AC Milan, Stam will come face-to-face with Fergie at Old Trafford tonight and insists the United boss knows he was wrong. "United know they made a mistake in selling me," said Stam. "There have been opportunities to confront them since but I have turned them down. What's the point? I know they made a mistake and they do too. I've moved on and I'm very happy at Milan."
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror