RUUD van Nistelrooy will step up the hunt to become Manchester United's greatest ever goalscorer in Europe when he's expected to spearhead the start of the Reds Champions League assault in Lyon.

Despite just 75 minutes of Premiership action at Bolton behind him the Dutchman will seeking his first Euro goal for the Reds for nine months in Lyon tomorrow night.

Van Nistelrooy's last Champions League goal came at Old Trafford against Stuttgart last December when he equalled Denis Law's club record of 28 goals.

The Dutchman then failed to score in both legs of the last 16 tie against Porto as United's hopes ended early last season.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is going to need van Nistelrooy's goal power to supplement Alan Smith's contribution.

But while van Nistelrooy flew to France for the group opener Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha were left behind but both posting brighter medical bulletins.

The '29m new hitman Rooney has joined in a training session with his new colleagues finally as recovery from his broken foot is stepped up.

It is likely that Fergie will turn to the same back four that collapsed against Wanderers against the French champions, which will mean a Champions League debut for United for Gabriel Heinze.

Meanwhile, Lyon received a boost when it was revealed that their Brazilian playmaker Juninho Pernambucano would be in the starting line-up for the match with United

The midfielder had been left out of the side's 2-1 victory over Rennes on Saturday because of fatigue.

Defender Anthony Reveillere can also return after being suspended for the Rennes clash.

However, Malian midfielder Mahamadou Diarra has failed to recover from a pulled right thigh muscle while Brazilian defender Cris was treated for another thigh complaint but could still be available for selection.