LONDON (Reuters):

Manchester United will carry the hopes of an all-English Champions League final with them this week when they host AC Milan and Chelsea face Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

The semi-final first leg ties start today at Old Trafford with United looking to show how much progress they have made since being outclassed by Milan two seasons ago. Then, the Italian side won both legs 1-0 in the first knockout round, courtesy of two goals from Milan's on-loan Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo.

United are now tougher opponents in Europe and lead the Premier League thanks to a scintillating campaign from Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo and England striker Wayne Rooney, who have scored over 40 goals between them in all competitions.

Paul Scholes, who like Ronaldo will miss the second leg next Wednesday at San Siro if he picks up a yellow card at Old Trafford, will keep the midfield ticking over on his return from suspension, while Ryan Giggs remains a menace going forward.

A tough game

Milan will have seen United's 7-1 demolition of their Serie A rivals AS Roma at Old Trafford two weeks ago and will be well aware of United's threat.

"It's a result that tells us we have to be very careful," Milan's Brazilian defender Cafu was quoted as telling reporters on Sunday on the club's website (www.acmilan.com).

"It's going to be a tough game and we are going to have to give everything. Manchester United play very well at home and especially well in big competitions like this."

But Cafu highlighted the fact that Milan, who are coming off five consecutive wins in all competitions, became the first side to beat Bayern Munich in Europe at their Allianz Arena in the quarter-finals.

Looking ahead to the trip to Manchester, he said: "We've got to go and play there like we did in Munich - with determination. Like that, we might be able to bring home a positive result."

That should be all the more achievable as United, whose push to the Premier League title stumbled with a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough on Saturday, are facing an injury crisis that has particularly ravaged their defensive ranks.