FERGUSON WANTS TO STOP TOTTI

Sir Alex Ferguson is in no doubt about the identity of the man his players have to mark out of the game to prevent Roma scoring in tomorrow night's Champions League quarter-final. "Stop Totti and we won't blow it in Rome," the Manchester United manager said before his team's first-ever visit to the Stadio Olimpico.

Ferguson insists United cannot afford to allow the Italian club to build a significant lead for next week's second leg at Old Trafford and admitted that the Roma captain is the player they must stop to stay on course for a repeat of the 1999 treble.

"[Francesco] Totti is the architect of everything they do and we have to decide how best to deal with him," he said. "The issue is what we do with our centre-backs and whether we push one on to Totti but we can't let him control the game. It's a tricky one but we have to resolve it as best we can.

"We are not underestimating our task because it'll be difficult, and it's probably the toughest of all the quarter-finals. It's a game where we'll have to be right tactically because if we're not, we're in trouble."

Roma are second in Serie A and the 1984 European Cup finalists have lost only once in 15 home games this season. They eliminated Lyon in the last 16 and Ferguson is fully aware of the challenge facing his team tomorrow. "The tie requires two good performances, there's no question about that," he said. "We have a lot of respect for Roma. They beat Lyon, who I regarded as one of the favourites, in the last round and didn't lose a goal."

United have problems in defence with Nemanja Vidic and Gary Neville injured, so Wes Brown is set to make his first Champions League start since the defeat at FC Copenhagen in November.

"If we can get a positive result in Rome, it will make it very difficult for them at Old Trafford," Brown said. "They're going to be a difficult side to beat, that's the nature of the Italian teams, but we're all looking forward to it. It's a good draw for us. Given the form we're in we feel we can win the match and the fact the first game is away from home gives us a slight advantage."

Meanwhile Roma's Brazilian winger Mancini hopes United underestimate Roma's ability.

"It's no secret that English football is very physical but this Manchester United side also have some amazing and very skilful players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney. They have great individual technique. Hopefully they'll make the same mistake Lyon made and underestimate us. We loved that."