United at full strength for Lille

European team-news:  Manchester United flew out on their Champions League expedition to Lille this morning with a full-strength…

European team-news: Manchester United flew out on their Champions League expedition to Lille this morning with a full-strength squad.

Edwin van der Sar was among the United party, although rookie goalkeeper Tom Heaton also travelled in case the veteran Dutchman was not fully recovered from a broken nose.

Wayne Rooney, without a goal in Europe since his hat-trick against Fenerbahce on debut in September 2004, is expected to be recalled after serving a suspension in the FA Cup draw against Reading.

Rooney could be joined in attack by Henrik Larsson, whose last appearance in the competition came in Paris last year when he came off the bench to inspire Barcelona to a final victory over Arsenal.

READ MORE

United's preparations have met a slight setback as the Lens' Stade Bollaert pitch has been declared unfit to train on.

It means both United and Lille, who did not concede a goal in two meetings with Alex Ferguson's men last term, will instead train at the Lens training ground at La Gayette.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has concerns over three strikers ahead of the first leg of tomorrow's last-16 clash with AC Milan at Parkhead.

Striker Craig Beattie scored the opener in Saturday's 2-1 league win at Aberdeen but picked up a hamstring strain.

Fellow striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink suffered a similar injury. Poland international Maciej Zurawski missed out on the trip to Pittodrie with a calf problem.

Kenny Miller received stitches in a head wound after colliding with the assistant referee as he warmed up as substitute. He had dental surgery last night but he is fit, while midfielder Paul Hartley and defender Steven Pressley are both cup tied.

Arsenal team-news to follow. . .