London: Manchester United are not taking anything for granted in the Champions League just yet.
While FC Barcelona have a narrow 1-0 lead over Schalke going into the second leg of their quarter-final on Wednesday, United hold a 2-0 advantage over AS Roma ahead of the teams' meeting at Old Trafford.
But injuries to their two central defenders and a dangerous opponent mean a semi-final berth is far from assured.
"We'll be approaching the game as we would any other, no matter that we're 2-0 up," United defender Wes Brown said. "We can't afford to sit back because if they get a goal they're well and truly back in it."
With Nemanja Vidic definitely out and Rio Ferdinand having injured his left foot at the weekend, Brown could fill in at center back against Roma, who are second to Inter Milan in the Italian league.
He could end up playing alongside Gerard Pique, who came on for Ferdinand during the 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough that kept United three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.
The 21-year-old Pique has already scored two goals in three Champions League appearances for United, including one in November's 4-0 win over Dynamo Kiev.
The defensive uncertainty could give Roma, who lost 7-1 at Old Trafford at the same stage last year and then 1-0 in this season's group stage, the chance of an unlikely comeback.
"I think the 7-1 game will be in the minds of those Roma players who played because it's not a nice thing to be involved in," Brown said. "And I'm sure they'll be going for revenge. So everyone will have to be on their toes."
Roma beat Genoa 3-2 at the weekend to stay four points behind Inter and defender Philippe Mexes, who will probably be given the task of marking United's in-form winger Cristiano Ronaldo, is focused on getting another good result.
"It will be difficult having conceded two goals, but you never know what will happen in football so we are not giving up yet," Mexes said.
"Once you lose a game, it's over. But you go to the next one and have the chance to fight that team again.
"We started really well in the first leg and there was a feeling we could have got more from the game."
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Ronaldo put United ahead in the 39th minute in Rome with his 36th goal of the season - he took his tally to 37 against Middlesbrough - before Wayne Rooney made it 2-0 in the 66th.
Defenders Mikael Silvestre and Gary Neville, the United captain who has not played for more than a year, trained on Tuesday.
Nani and Louis Saha sat out, however, meaning Ronaldo and Rooney are sure to lead the attack again.
"We'll be looking to score first because that gives us a great chance," Brown said.
"At the same time we can't be gung-ho, but if we get some chances we'll focus on putting them away."
Barcelona also need a goal to allay any nerves it might have against Schalke and progress to a semi-final meeting against either United or Roma.
"Nothing has been decided yet because Schalke are capable of coming back," Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure said.
"We produced a professional performance and got a great result, but we'll need to concentrate just as hard again if we want to qualify."
The Champions League, which Barcelona won in 2006 to add to their 1992 European Cup trophy, appears to represent the Catalan powerhouse's best chance of a title this season. They are third in the Spanish league, seven points behind leader Real Madrid.
Star forwards Lionel Messi and Deco should be fit to play if Barcelona progress, but Ronaldinho will be absent after being ruled out for six weeks because of a right leg injury.
"We have so many quality players and we play good football, now we have to make sure we win something," Toure said. "When you think about the potential we have, it'd be a real waste if we ended the season empty-handed."
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