Roma´s Totti out of Manchester United clash

AS Roma suffered a crucial blow to their Champions League hopes as captain and talisman Francesco Totti (pictured) was ruled out of Tuesday´s clash against Manchester United.

      ROME (AFP) - AS Roma suffered a crucial blow to their Champions League hopes as captain and talisman Francesco Totti was on Sunday ruled out of Tuesday's clash against Manchester United.

      Roma host the English champions at the Stadio Olimpico in the quarter-finals first leg but will have to do without their star player.

      United are already overwhelming favourites to progress in the tie and Totti's thigh injury picked up during Saturday's 1-1 draw against Cagliari will not have helped Roma's cause.

      "He has to undergo a period of rest and his situation will be monitored over the next few days," said a club statement.

      United also have injury problems, though, with four players who started in Saturday's stunning 4-0 thrashing of Aston Villa doubtful for Tuesday.

      United boss Alex Ferguson substituted Michael Carrick, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra in the second half and afterwards revealed that Ryan Giggs had also suffered an injury.

      "They all had injuries and then Ryan Giggs got injured towards the end and that was a bit of a problem," Ferguson said.

      Ferguson also admitted he was unsure if his first-choice goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar, who missed Saturday's match, would be fit enough to play in Rome.

      "Edwin may be a doubt for Tuesday," the Scot added. "He has a problem with his groin again."