AC Milan v Man Utd 19:45

Venue: San Siro Date: Tuesday 16 February Kick-off: 1945 GMT Coverage: BBC Sport website, Final Score, BBC Radio 5 live and live on Sky Sports Two

Vidic has been linked with a summer move away from Old Trafford
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said defender Rio Ferdinand is likely to start the Champions League first-leg tie against AC Milan.

Nemanja Vidic has not travelled to Italy because of a nerve problem while Ryan Giggs is out with a broken arm. Midfielder Anderson also misses out.

Milan's Alexandre Pato could return in attack and striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar looks set to replace Marco Borriello.

Centre-back Thiago Silva (groin) should be fit and David Beckham may start.

The former United midfielder has been among the substitutes in Milan's last two matches, but will be keen to start against the club where he spent 12 years before moving to Real Madrid in 2003.

Beckham, 34, who is on loan at the San Siro from Los Angeles Galaxy, has not played against his former side since leaving Old Trafford in 2003.

United are bidding to reach a third successive Champions League final but will have to make do without Vidic, who is yet to play in 2010 because of a nerve problem in his leg.

The Serbia international did not travel with his team-mates and Ferguson must now decide whether Jonny Evans or Wes Brown partner Ferdinand in central defence.

Ferdinand's last match was against Manchester City in the League Cup semi-final on 27 January.

He has been serving a four-match ban in the Premier League after an altercation with Hull striker Craig Fagan and has only appeared nine times for his club this season.

United flew to Italy on Monday morning looking to improve on a dismal record against the seven-time European champions having lost all four previous two-legged meetings.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8515983.stm