Michael Carrick and Nemanja Vidic are expected to play
Manchester United are expected to have Michael Carrick and Nemanja Vidic play tonight versus Marseille. Reuters

After a frustrating scoreless first leg at Stade Velodrome, Manchester United and Marseille meet in Old Trafford tonight in the second leg of the Round of 16 in Champions League play.

Sir Alex Ferguson has the services of some key players who were thought to be inactive for the match.

Ecuadorian wing Antonio Valencia played 45 minutes against Arsenal on Saturday, so Ferguson is in the enviable position of deciding how he wants to use his talented midfielder.

Nani and Nemanja Vidic are also expected to be fit for the match today. Michael Carrick was considered questionable, but is expected to see playing time.

Darren Fletcher is doubtful for the match, and Rio Ferdinand remains injured for the Red Devils.

Manchester United have received encouraging news that midfielders Park Ji-Sung and Owen Hargreaves are recovering from a hamstring injuries and in training.

Didier Deschamps has also received positive news on the injury front.

Star forward Andre-Pierre Gignac is back in action. The 25-year-old striker has scored three goals in three games for Marseille in Champions League play.

Midfielder Mathieu Valbuena is available for the match, though he's not expected to play a ful 9l0 minutes.

Deschamps conceded that Manchester United are the better team on paper, but that Marseille has a reasonable chance to advance. They have only one loss in their last 13 matches.

Marseille play tough defense, and must match their effort from the first leg if they expect to advance.

Manchester United should be cautious of counter-attacks from Marseille, with the Red Devils so intent on getting on the board.

Ferguson didn't substitute Javier Hernandez in the first leg, but expect El Chicharito to see action with the Red Devils needing scoring power.