Roma coach Spalletti refusing to take Man Utd lightly

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti, seen here in November 2007, has vowed not to underestimate a probable second-string Manchester United team ahead of the pair´s Champions League group F clash.

      ROME (AFP) - Roma coach Luciano Spalletti vowed Tuesday not to underestimate a probable second-string Manchester United team ahead of the pair's Champions League group F clash on Wednesday.

      Nothing is resting on the result with United already having won the group and Roma assured of second spot.

      United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already said he will play a team of reserves, young players and bit-part players, but Spalletti insisted that whoever takes to the field in a United shirt will be worthy of being respected as Manchester United players.

      "Playing against a club as famous and prestigious as Manchester United allows us to go out onto the field and express ourselves to the best of our abilities," he said at the pre-match press conference here.

      "I don't think that the fact the group is already decided will prevent us from understanding the importance of this tie.

      "You cannot be ambitious if you don't understand the importance of games such as this, especially because gaining a positive result would allow us to make our fans forget about the 7-1 defeat we suffered at Old Trafford."

      There may be nothing riding on this match but there is certainly pride at stake on the part of Roma.

      Last season the two teams met in the quarter-finals of the competition and Roma gained the advantage by winning the home leg 2-1 after United's Paul Scholes had been sent off.

      But in the return leg in Manchester United ran riot, thrashing the Romans 7-1. They also won the first group F fixture between the two teams 1-0 at Old Trafford at the beginning of October, with Wayne Rooney scoring the winner.

      Roma know they will be up against a weakened team at the Stadio Olympico, but Spalletti is not taking United lightly.

      "Against Ferguson's team it will be tough. Even if he puts out a second team they will be able to create difficulties for us," he said.

      Spalletti admitted he is still unsure about what team he will pick, although he is certain to rest players with an important league match at Torino coming up at the weekend.

      Roma are second in Serie A, five points behind Inter Milan and cannot afford to drop any further off the pace.

      One player who is certain to start for the hosts, though, is club captain and talisman Francesco Totti.

      He has made just one start since returning from a three-week injury lay-off and was substituted in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Livorno.

      "He needs to play games and he will play," insisted Spalletti.