Glasgow Rangers vs Manchester United Champions League Preview

Rangers v Manchester United Champions League Preview

Rangers boss Walter Smith will make only minor fixes to his starting lineup for the Champions League tie on Tuesday night.

Steven Whittaker has been passed fit to take his place in Rangers’ team for the Champions Leagure clash with Manchester United on Tuesday. The right-back suffered a calf injury on international duty with Scotland in Lithuania and subsequently missed their 2-1 home win against Liechtenstein.

Whittaker also missed his club’s 2-1 victory at Hamilton on Saturday as a result but, with Kirk Broadfoot now struggling after going off in the game at New Douglas Park, he is expected to go straight back into Walter Smith’s starting lineup.

Broadfoot will undergo a late fitness test to gauge his fitness ahead of the game at Old Trafford on Tuesday night but is likely to only make it onto the bench if he is available.

Rangers boss Smith, speaking at a press conference in Manchester on Monday ahead of the match, revealed he was not planning any major changes to his side from the 11 which started the SPL game at the weekend.

"Steven has been doing well for us and it's good to have him back for the game," he said. "There won't be massive changes in the team.

"Kirk Broadfoot is a doubt and once we know his fitness situation we will be able to sit down and select the team."

Vladimir Weiss and Kyle Lafferty were cause for concern over the weekend having picked up minor knocks but are both fit to feature.

The only other enforced change in the team will be striker the ineligible Nikica Jelavic, who partnered James Beattie up front. Both players are expected to drop out for Kenny Miller to take his place as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation, with Weiss likely to come into contention in midfield.

Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Wayne Rooney will be included in his team, having been left out of the 3-3 draw at Everton because of the manager’s fears over abuse he would receive from the home crowd over his recent off-field misdemeanours.

Ferguson has no concerns about re-introducing the player into his team for the home game, saying he expects a "good performance" from Rooney on Tuesday night.

The England international striker trained with his United team-mates on Monday morning and appeared in good spirits. Rio Ferdinand, who is yet to make an appearance this season after injuring his knee before the World Cup, also took part.