By Chris O'Brien / David Hobbs
November 2 2004

Victory over Arsenal left United supporters relishing a new start after a disappointing opening to the season. The comeback was short lived following defeat at Portsmouth and now Sir Alex Ferguson will be desperate for his side to pull off a morale boosting victory over Sparta.

Victory over Arsenal left United supporters relishing a new start after a disappointing opening to the season and a failed challenge in both the Premiership and European Cup last term. However, the comeback was short lived following defeat at Portsmouth and now Sir Alex Ferguson will be desperate for his side to pull off a morale boosting victory over Sparta Prague as the Czechs visit Old Trafford in the Champions League.

United took a pleasing 5 points from the first 3 European matches, and look a good bet to qualify from group D into the knock-out stages of the European Cup. Victory over Prague on Wednesday night would leave United near certainties to go through, especially if Lyon get a positive result from their tie with Fenerbache in France. Should the Eastern Europeans spring a surprise in Lancashire though, the forthcoming trip to Turkey and the visit of Lyon to Old Trafford would become vital fixtures.

Champions League - Group D Table:

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Points
Lyon	3	2	1	0	7	4	7
Manchester United	3	1	2	0	8	4	5
Fenerbache	3	1	0	2	4	9	3
Sparta Prague	3	0	1	2	1	3	1

United travelled to Prague in their last European fixture and had Roy Carroll to thank for bringing back a goalless draw. Some fans were concerned over the performance, but at Old Trafford Frantisek Straka's side are not expected to pose as many problems. That home draw against the Red Devils was their only European point to date, after stuttering past Ferencváros in the qualifying round.

Sparta will be aware that to keep their slim European hopes alive they probably need to pull of a surprise and take all three points from the 1999 Champions League holders. They are a difficult side to beat at home but struggle on their travels, despite making the knock-out stages last term where they were unlucky to be knocked out by AC Milan. Eventual winners Porto ended United's dream at the same stage.

Team news for tomorrow is that Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has served a third of his 3 match ban in all English competitions for serious foul play against Arsenal, will start tomorrow. Alan Smith will be dropped down the pecking order to the bench. Talk of pairing van Nistelrooy with Louis Saha and resting Wayne Rooney has been circulating.

Petr Johana and Miroslav Baranek are the only absentees for the Czech outfit whilst Karel Poborsky is set for an emotional return to Manchester.

ManUtdWeb Prediction: United 3 - Sparta - A win would be a great morale booster and the start of hopefully a decent run-of-form for The Red Devils. I'm sure we'll comfortably win. C'Mon United!