Scholes excited by Porto test

Paul Scholes is convinced Manchester United can do what no other English team has done and beat FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão on Wednesday to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals.

The Portuguese giants raised eyebrows when claiming a shock 2-2 draw against the holders at Old Trafford in the quarter-final first leg last week and remain bullish about their chances of a repeat of their team's famous victory against Sir Alex Ferguson's side in the first knockout round in 2003/04 under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho.

United fans have every right to feel some trepidation about the return leg because the current world club champions have not won in three previous visits to Porto and have lost their last four knockout ties in the Champions League when they have played the second leg away from home.
However, veteran midfielder Scholes, who set United on their way to a narrow 2-1 win against Sunderland on Saturday, has revealed his football prediction: United will win.

"All we've got to do at Porto is win a football match," said Scholes. "With the players we've got I'm sure we can do it."

Key defender Rio Ferdinand, who missed last week's home draw because of a groin injury suffered on England duty, did board the plane to Portugal and will partner Nemanja Vidic if he is passed fit.

Young full-back Rafael da Silva also made the journey, along with countryman Anderson, who spent two seasons with Porto between 2005 and 2007.

Manchester United squad:
Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak; Neville, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Rafael, Fabio, O'Shea, J. Evans; Ronaldo, Anderson, Scholes, Gibson, Carrick, Park, Nani, Giggs; Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov, Macheda.