Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur take to centre stage for England in the Champions League this evening.
Old Champions League stagers Manchester United take on Scottish champions Rangers in a game that some years ago might have been (and, indeed, was) dubbed 'The Battle of Britain'. Not so much now. United are such strong favourites that the title is barely worth the effort. Yet fans of the Scots will travel south to Manchester with hope - as they always do - and Walter Smith will be out to conjure an upset.
It is highly likely that United striker Wayne Rooney will return to the team after being omitted from Saturday's team against his old club Everton at Goodison Park for fear of a fan backlash after revelations about his private life. Rio Ferdinand - unavailable since being injured in an England training session in June - may also be in contention. Bursaspor (Turkey) and Valencia (Spain) complete the group.
Meanwhile, Champions League virgins Tottenham travel to Germany to face Werder Bremen who finised third in the Bundesliga last season. Fourth-placed Tottenham - who have not actually won the English league since 1961 - may surpsingly be able to call on Luka Modric, despite fears of a broken leg from Saturday's draw at West Brom. England players Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson are definitely out. It will be a chance for Harry Redknapp (many people's tip for the next England manager's job) to begin to pit his wits against Europe's finest. Twente Enschede (Holland) and Inter Milan make up the group.
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