PREVIEW: Olympique Marseille vs. Manchester United (Tuesday, February 23 at 2:45 PM EST)

PREVIEW: Olympique Marseille vs. Manchester United (Tuesday, February 23 at 2:45 PM EST)

After perhaps the best goal of the Premier League season, Manchester United will have their eyes on France when they face Olympique Marseille at Stade Velodrome in Champions League play.

Red Devil fans are still talking about Wayne Rooney's fantastic goal against crosstown rivals Manchester City. The bicycle kick has been a YouTube hit from almost the time it left Rooney's boot.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side must now set their sights on Crawley Town, and their big match on Tuesday with Marseille.

The style and level of play of Marseille will be different from what United has faced recently in Premier League matches.

Unlike City, United is rather unfamiliar with the French club, aside from their captain Gabriel Heize. The Argentine defender spent three seasons with the Red Devils, only four years ago.

The last time these two teams played was in 1999, when William Gallas sank United to give Marseille the 1-0 victory. Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes were in action for that one, but nobody else.

Along with Heize, Marseille has its share of stars.

Striker Andre-Pierre Gignac is coming off a two-goal performance against Sochaux. He is joined by versatile midfielder Lucho Gonzalez, who has 43 caps for Argentina.

Head coach Didier Deschamps may have the services of Mathieu Valbuena, who could be ready to return from a knee injury he sustained last month.

According to French newspaper La Provence, United are among the teams interested in acquiring the playmaker. Valbuena has three goals for this season.