United drawn with Roma again

By Julien Pretot

MONTE CARLO (Reuters) - Manchester United and AS Roma will meet in the Champions League group stages, just a few months after violence marred their quarter-final clash.

The two teams were drawn in Group F on Thursday, along with Sporting Lisbon and Dynamo Kiev.

A United fan was stabbed in Rome during their first leg on April 4. There were also scuffles between the fans outside Old Trafford before the home team's 7-1 romp in the return match.

"The match at Old Trafford was one of the greatest nights in our history and we hope both legs are remembered this time for what happens on the pitch, not off it," United chief executive David Gill told Reuters.

"Although our supporters were in no way to blame, we will be working very hard with Roma and UEFA to solve any problems that occurred last time. As for the rest of the draw, going to Lisbon with (Portuguese players) Nani and Ronaldo will be very interesting."

Holders AC Milan were drawn with Benfica, Celtic and Shakhtar Donetsk in Group D.

Liverpool, beaten 2-1 by Milan in the final in Athens, will face 2004 winners Porto, Olympique Marseille and Besiktas in Group A.

Marseille striker Djibril Cisse, who was used sparingly by manager Rafael Benitez during his time at Liverpool, will have a point to prove.