Fergie ready for Roma test

Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced Manchester United's European home record will be a help, not a hindrance when they look to reach the Champions League semi-finals at Roma's expense.

The Red Devils face Roma at Old Trafford looking to overturn the 2-1 lead built up by the Italians last week and Ferguson knows United have a formidable record on home soil, having lost just seven times at Old Trafford in their entire 50-year European history, all by a single goal.

"That is not a bad record," the Scot said. "Old Trafford is not an easy place to come to and Roma will not have it easy."

With Louis Saha joining a lengthy injury list and Paul Scholes suspended, United's resources are stretched.

Yet Ferguson remains confident he has the players to book a semi-final appearance against either AC Milan or Bayern Munich and retains the utmost faith in goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar despite a couple of blunders from the Dutchman recently.

"Edwin has the experience," Ferguson added. "He knows how to deal with it. You do not get 120 caps for your country without having the ability to handle situations like that. He will be okay."