Manager Wishes He Had Got Another Draw

LEEDS manager David O'Leary admits he would gladly have half the Roma side in his own line-up such is the esteem in which he holds the Italian giants.

United face Roma on Thursday in the first leg of their UEFA Cup fourth round tie just 17 months after the two teams last met in the competition.

On that occasion the Serie A side scraped through 1-0 on aggregate in a second round clash, with Marco Delvecchio's goal in the Olympic Stadium enough to separate them.
Under new coach Fabio Capello, who took over from Pole Zdenek Zeman in the summer, there have been many changes - not least of which has been the £15m capture of Vicenzo Montella from Sampdoria.

Montella, who made his debut for Italy last week, is just one of the handful of Roma's star names O'Leary would have at Elland Road, which is why he fears United's European dream could falter in the Eternal City.

"They're as good a side as I have seen this season - and I've watched them three or four times now - they are just fantastic," said an awestruck O'Leary. I'd take five of their players, with Delvecchio - who is one of the best centre forwards - Montella and (Francesco) Totti, a front three who are frightening.

"Then in defence they've the great Brazilian centre-back Aldair, who is pure quality, and a French left-back (Vincent) Candela, who is a fantastic player. It all means they are a very hard side and if I can get my team through this then it would be unbelievable because I don't think Roma will be far away from winning this competition.

"We've drawn a real quality side. I just wish we hadn't been paired with them to tell you the truth."