Pique potential to be put to the test

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (L) and English midfielder Paul Scholes listen to questions during a press conference in Rome, Italy, on March 31, ahead of their Champions League quarter-final, second leg match against AS Roma.

      MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson has long trumpeted his belief in the potential of Manchester United's young Catalan defender Gerard Pique.

      Now that faith is set to be put to the test as United seek to keep their bid for a Premier League and Champions League double on track in the face of a defensive injury crisis, starting with Wednesday night's European clash with Roma.

      United lead the quarter-final tie 2-0 thanks to a superb display in the first leg in Rome last week.

      But the win came at the cost of losing Nemanja Vidic for three weeks with a knee injury and Rio Ferdinand has since joined his centreback partner in the treatment room, removing one of the cornerstones of United's success this season.

      Ferdinand suffered an injury to his left foot in the 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough on Sunday and, although a fracture has been ruled out, he is unlikely to feature on Wednesday.

      Pique, 21, replaced the England defender against Middlesbrough and has generally impressed in the handful of first-team opportunities he has had this season, bolstering Ferguson's confidence he can step up to the challenge he now faces.

      "Pique came on and did brilliantly against Middlesbrough. He was marvellous. The lad's a terrific player and I think that actually helped us. We've got great confidence in the lad and he's come through very well."

      Barring a remarkable recovery by Ferdinand, Pique can expect to line up alongside Wes Brown in the centre of defence with John O'Shea filling in at right-back, unless Ferguson opts to gamble on recalling fit-again club captain Gary Neville after a year out injured.

      Roma will be without their captain and talisman Francesco Totti, who also missed the first leg, but have the Manchester-born midfielder Simone Perotta available after a one-match suspension.

      Montenegrin marksman Mirko Vucinic is expected to lead the attack with Amantino Mancini and Rodrigo Taddei likely to play just behind. David Pizarro is favourite to stand in for Alberto Aquilani, as the Azzurri midfielder still isn't 100 percent fit.

      Juan could return to the team to replace Christian Panucci, who captained the side in the first leg.

      Given that United hammered Roma 7-1 at Old Trafford last season and still managed to beat the Italians 1-0 when playing poorly in this season's group stage, it is hard to see the English champions failing to progress to a last four meeting with either Barcelona or Schalke.

      Ferguson knows that impression could breed complacency and he has been busy alerting his squad to the importance of putting the tie beyond Roma's reach.

      With Sunday's Premier League clash with Arsenal looming in the background, the last thing the United manager wants is for his players to be forced to go through the physically and emotionally draining experience of playing extra-time.

      "In European football a goal changes the situation quickly," said the Scot. "I wouldn't want to start the game against Roma and after ten minutes have lost a goal. They can sit and wait then, hope for a 2-0 and go for extra time.

      "I think we have to get into a real mode of making sure we play our way and make sure it's a difficult night for them. One goal for us would finish it I think."