All eyes on Old Trafford as Roma return

LONDON, Oct 2 (Reuters) AS Roma return to Old Trafford today hoping to avoid another Champions League mauling while European soccer's governing body UEFA will keep a close eye on the behaviour of the Italian fans.

Last season's quarter-final between the sides was settled emphatically by United's 7-1 second-leg victory but the sparkling tie was overshadowed by violence in Manchester and in the first leg in Rome.

The teams began their Group F fixtures with victory two weeks ago and another one on Tuesday would go a long way to reserving a place in the knockout stages.

United striker Wayne Rooney, yet to score this season after foot problems, believes Roma will be a tougher proposition this time.

''I'm sure Roma will be fired up for this game,'' he told reporters.

''We need to be aware of that but we just need to concentrate on our job and play the way we know we can.'' Elsewhere in the second round of matches, Barcelona travel to German champions VfB Stuttgart in Group E while Inter Milan have ground to make up at home to PSV Eindhoven in Group G.

Barca opened with a 3-0 defeat of Olympique Lyon and with Thierry Henry in hat-trick form at the weekend they will be going for victory against a Stuttgart side humbled by Rangers two weeks ago.

Surprisingly Inter have never met PSV before but they will need to mark the occasion with a victory after already losing to Fenerbahce.

Arsenal will look to maintain their superb start to the season at Steaua Bucharest in Group H.

Sevilla can make up for their 3-0 defeat by Arsenal when they take on fellow Champions League debutants Slavia Prague.

Dynamo Kiev and Sporting Lisbon also meet for the first time when they seek their first points in Group F.

Reuters BJR DB0924