Ronaldo is certain to be a key figure at the Riverside
tomorrow as United look to seal an FA Cup semi-final slot and again
next month when the Red Devils take on AS Roma in the Champions
League quarter-finals. Although Ferguson's side have previously
encountered Lazio, it is the first time they will have met Italy's
'capital club'. And, having knocked out his own fancy Lyon this
week, the United boss knows Roma are an opponent to be
respected.
'The great excitement in Europe is playing teams you have never
played before,' said Ferguson. 'They have some great players, like
De Rossi and Mancini and we are looking forward to it.'
By the time United head to Rome for the first leg on April 4,
Ferguson should have striking duo Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer available again.
Both men miss Saturday's trip to Teesside with hamstring and knee
injuries respectively, leaving Wayne Rooney and Henrik Larsson -
who is making the final competitive appearance of his 10-week loan
spell - to shoulder the burden in attack.
Alan Smith is likely to be on the bench, while China international
Dong Fangzhou will be in the United squad for the first time.
However, it is Rooney who will be required to find the spark in
front of goal. Ferguson admitted he took a calculated gamble with
the 21-year-old England striker in midweek, playing him with a
strapping to protect his injured knee.
However, despite a below-par performance, the United boss is
confident Rooney will be back to his best against Boro. 'Wayne was
not quite on top form against Lille,' said Ferguson. 'He was a
little bit restricted because he played with a strapping on. 'Also,
we played him wide, which is not his best position. 'Maybe we did
take a chance with Wayne but I asked him if he wanted to come off
at half-time because we have such a long season in front of us and
he said no.
'He worked his socks off and showed fantastic application, which is
a credit to him but once we scored, I was delighted to get him
off.'
