Rio Ferdinand is expected to make a return for Manchester United as they take on Rangers in their first Champions League match.
Ferdinand sustained a knee injury during England’s first World Cup training session in South Africa in June.
Wayne Rooney should start after being left out of United’s squad for their trip to Everton last Saturday.
Michael Carrick is struggling with an ankle problem and will miss the match.
Rangers Team News
Rangers are hoping that defender Steven Whittaker recovers from a calf injury, but Kirk Broadfoot picked up an ankle injury during Saturday’s victory over Hamilton and is doubtful for tonight. Broadfoot has until later today to prove his fitness and Rangers boss Walter Smith could pick on-loan Vladimir Weiss in his place.
New signing Nikica Jelavic is ineligible having played for Rapid Vienna in the Europa League so striker Kenny Miller is expected to return to the starting line-up having started on the subs bench on Saturday.
Rangers have completed the signing of Rapid Vienna striker Nikica Jelavic in a £4.1 million deal. Jelavic is Rangers’ biggest single signing in the eight years since Mikel Arteta joined from Barcelona in 2002.
Jelavic was in Glasgow on Friday to undergo a medical and agree personal terms and joins pending being granted a work permit. That is not expected to arrive until after tomorrow’s game with Hibs.
Rangers were locked in negotiations with the Austrian club for weeks before Jelavic finally signed last night, with the Croatian’s demands for a pay-off from the Austrian club said to be a particular sticking point.
Jelavic hit 28 goals in 48 games last season including three in two games against Rangers’ arch-rivals Celtic. He joined the Austrian club from Belgian side Zulte Waregem two years ago but it was only at Rapid that the 24-year-old’s goalscoring record took off. Jelavic also has six international caps for his country scoring twice including the equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Slovakia earlier this month.
Rangers boss Walter Smith admitted that Jelavic could be the last signing during this transfer window.
“We could be doing with a few more, but I would think, financially, that would be us finished,” he said last night.
Rangers also completed the signing of Vladimir Weiss on a season-long loan from Manchester City on Thursday and James Beattie in a £1.5 million deal from Stoke last week.
“We’ve managed to bring in three players for the first time in a couple of seasons and we are delighted with that aspect,” Smith said.
Rangers lost Kris Boyd to Middlesbrough and Nacho Novo to Sporting Gijon during the close season.
Rangers Transfer News – Jelavic To Sign for Rangers
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Jelavic Flying To Glasgow
Nikica Jelavic will undergo a medical at Rangers tomorrow ahead of a £4 million move from Rapid Vienna.
The striker was withdrawn from tonight’s Rapid squad to face Aston Villa in the Europa League play-off and will fly to Glasgow first thing tomorrow.
Jelavic moved to Austria from Belgian side Zulte Waregem two years ago and has hit 25 goals in 67 league games for Rapid. He was linked with a move to Blackburn earlier this summer but Rovers couldn’t offer the fee Rapid were looking for and the move fell through.
Earlier this month, as Rangers interest became known, the Croatian spoke of his desire to move to Ibrox:
“I was informed about Rangers’ interest in me and I really want to go,” he said.
“Rapid are a great side and I have enjoyed my time here but I have paid them back well with goals and I deserve the chance to go.
“It has always been my dream to play in Britain and Rangers are a big club with tradition. I would love to play there.”
