Champions League Group D prospects

A look at the prospects for Manchester United, Fenerbahce, Olympique Lyon and Sparta Prague in Group D of the Champions League this season:

MANCHESTER UNITED (ENGLAND)

Coach Alex Ferguson said that the signing of 18-year-old Wayne Rooney for 27.0 million pounds ($48.52 million) was the final piece in the jigsaw of a squad he claims is now good enough to win the Champions League again.

Their famous 2-1 win over Bayern Munich in the 1999 final in Barcelona remains the high point of Ferguson's career but he is desperate for United to repeat that success in this year's final in Istanbul.

As well as Rooney, Ferguson has brought in Alan Smith from Leeds United and Argentine Gabriel Heinze from Paris St Germain for a total outlay of nearly 13.0 million pounds, and will also be boosted by the return of Rio Ferdinand after his eight months doping suspension ends on September 20.

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy remains one of the most feared strikers in Europe and there are few full-backs who enjoy facing Welsh winger Ryan Giggs.

COMMENT: Sir Alex Ferguson, a feways after signing Rooney: "I dont see any reason why we cannot win the Champions League again. I'm happy with my squad and once everyone is back from injury, you will see a different United from the one that has started this season."

FENERBAHCE (TURKEY)

Despite prolific domestic success Fenerbahce have failed to shine in Europe in previous campaigns and are desperate to eclipse the UEFA Cup triumph achieved by Istanbul rivals Galatasaray in 2000.

Under German coach Christoph Daum, Fenerbahce won their 15th Turkish title last season thanks to a potent attacking force combining Dutch striker Pierre van Hooijdonk and young Turkish international Tuncay Sanli.

Daum has most recently bolstered the squad by bringing back the club's former goalkeeper Rustu Recber on a one-year loan from Barcelona, where he failed to a hold down a regular place in the first team.

He will join a side already strengthened over the summer by the signing of Turkish internationals Deniz Baris and Serkan Balci and Brazilian midfielder Alex de Souza, who adds to a large contingent of his compatriots at the Istanbul club. Fenerbahce would also love to repeat one significant European claim to fame when in October 1996 they became the first team ever to beat Manchester United at home in a European match at Old Trafford.

COMMENT: Chairman Aziz Yildirim: "Manchester United earn around 500 million pounds annually and while they are our rivals in this year's Champions League we cannot compete with such a great power in that way. But our club always aims high on the pitch and who knows what can happen there!"

OLYMPIQUE LYON (FRANCE)

After winning three consecutive French titles, Olympique Lyon have set theisights on European glory after years of frustration in the Champions League.

Last season, Paul Le Guen's side reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history before losing to eventual European champions Porto.

It will be new look team after Lyon lost Brazil's World Cup-winning central defender Edmilson, France striker Peguy Luyindula and midfielders Eric Carriere and Vikash Dhorasoo during the summer break.

They will also have to start their European campaign without Brazilian striker Giovane Elber sidelined for at least four months because of a broken leg.

Edmilson has been replaced by another Brazilian international, Cris. Lyon have also signed 20-year-old Brazil's international striker Nilmar and France's former Arsenal attacker Sylvain Wiltord just before the closure of the transfer window.

COMMENT: Coach Paul Le Guen: "We'll have our chance but it will be a close race. Our first game will set the tone because we're home against Manchester United but Fenerbahce and Sparta Prague are quality teams."

SPARTA PRAGUE (CZECH REPUBLIC)

Sparta will look to take their fortunes a step further this year after reaching the final 16 three times in the five previous seasons.

The Czechs boosted their chances in the off-season by resigning skipper Karel Poborsky for another two years and more creativity in midfield could come from Jan Simak, who was signed after being released by Bayer Leverkusen.

Gifted but erratic, Simak left professional soccer last year amid the effects of exhaustion. He must still regain full match fitness, but could form a potent partnership with Poborsky.

There are worries in defence though with the departure of experienced stopper Tomas Huebschman to Shakhtar Donetsk and injury to Petr Johana. Johana is expected to be out until the winter break with to a knee injury.

COMMENT: Coach Frantisek Straka: "If they are having an off-day both Lyon and Fenerbahce can be beaten, but I am not so sure about Manchester United.

"But if they play well they are very tough teams to beat. Lyon has lost striker Giovanni Elber, but they are going to be tough to break down, in fact all three teams will be. They all have players with great technique. We won't have it easy, but we will fight."

Goalie Jaromir Blazek: "I am happy as a sandboy to play at Old Trafford is a dream come true and then I can retire happy."