History Favours United; The Injury List Doesn't

We're 3-2 up from the first leg as we're about to welcome AC Milan at Old Trafford. It is an enviable position to be in, certainly - just ask Chelsea - but there are plenty of dangers involved.

On paper, it should be straightforward. United never lost a Champions League game at home by a margin that would result in our elimination tonight. Only once could a visiting team achieve a result that would push the tie into extra time: when Real Madrid won 3-2 here in 2000.

It is perhaps a blessing that United's defence is now the part of the team that's least savaged by injuries which is rare. Of course Brown and O'Shea out but we can still field a back four of Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra which looks good.

Up front we'll have a half-fit Rooney and no Owen but it's the midfield that gives the most reasons to worry. Giggs, Anderson and Hargreaves are injured while Michael Carrick is suspended.

Still, we never lost a European tie after winning the away leg, we haven't even conceded a goal in the last three home games against Italian opposition; we haven't lost to any Italian team at Old Trafford since 2005 (since then we played five, won five, scored 14 and conceded 3 goals.)

So, on paper, we should go through even with Gibson starting... but it's still a thought that chills by blood.

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