Doubts about Wayne Rooney's future at Manchester United hang over the club ahead of its Champions League match against Bursaspor at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Reports regarding the collapse of his relationship with manager Alex Ferguson and a breakdown in contract talks with United have led to intense speculation in the British media that Rooney could leave the club - potentially for neighbor Manchester City or fellow Premier League rival Chelsea.
Ferguson must decide whether to recall the England striker to the team after starting him on the bench for Saturday's 2-2 home draw against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.
Ferguson preferred to partner Dimitar Berbatov up front with recent signing Javier Hernandez at the weekend but Rooney could return for his first start since Sept. 26, when United drew 2-2 at Bolton. In that time, he missed his team's 1-0 win at Valencia that lifted United to the top of Group C, level on four points with Rangers.
The English giants' position in the pool will be strengthened further with a win against Bursaspor, which was without a point from two games and was thrashed 4-0 at Valencia in its first away match. The Turkish team has lost its last six European matches without scoring.
United defender Patrice Evra said his side, which has drawn five of its eight Premier League games this season, need to be more ruthless.
"We need to start killing games off," the France left back told United's television channel. "We need to take our chances and score more goals when we can. It's not like we don't have a lot of opportunities."
Veteran winger Ryan Giggs is out for United after sustaining a recurrence of a hamstring problem against West Brom, and center back Jonny Evans also missed training on Tuesday because of injury.
In the other match in the group, Valencia was looking to bounce back from its 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish league on Saturday when it visits Rangers.
That result saw Valencia slip from top to fourth in the table and was its first loss in the league this season.
Coach Unai Emery was set to recall forwards Juanma Mata and Aritz Aduritz, who were on the bench at the Camp Nou, but could be without injured quartet Miguel, Sofiane Feghouli, Hedwiges Maduro and Joaquin Sanchez.
"It's an important game after getting a win and a defeat," said Argentina midfielder Ever Banega. "They (Rangers) are a tough opponent, especially on their ground, but we've got the team to do well there."
Rangers began qualifying with a goalless draw at United, and followed that up with a 2-1 home win over Bursaspor - its first in the Champions League in 14 games.
The Glasgow club could have one eye on next weekend's derby match against fierce rival Celtic.
"In terms of club football, this is possibly one of the biggest weeks of my career so far," said Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu, who should start in the continued absence of Lee McCulloch.
"It's not often a Champions League game and an Old Firm game come in the same week and everyone's excited. They're both important games for different reasons but Valencia is first so we'll focus on that."
