The facts and figures say Manchester United cannot fail to book a place in the semi-finals of this season's Champions League, but United know better than most that a great European comeback should not be dismissed out of hand.

Roma have a 2-0 deficit to overturn after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney in Rome last week gave United a big advantage heading into tonight's game at Old Trafford.

It is an unenviable mission for the Giallorossi, and a quick glance at some telling statistics only serves to reinforce how difficult their task is.

United have lost just seven of 67 Champions League home games but none by the minimum two-goal margin that Roma need to reach the semi-finals.

Roma have won just once in ten previous visits to England - a 1-0 victory at Liverpool in the fourth round of the 2000-2001 UEFA Cup.

Only once have Roma come back to win, when they lost 2-1 at home to Nurnberg in the 1988-1989 UEFA Cup first round but then triumphed 3-1 in Germany.

United have been in this position 13 times before in European competitions, qualifying rounds included, and have never lost a tie after winning away in the first leg.

And United are one of just two teams, alongside Barcelona, who remain unbeaten in this season's competition.

But despite the odds clearly being stacked in United's favour, Alex Ferguson's side would be well-advised not to take anything for granted, having themselves been involved in some of the greatest comebacks in European history.

Here we take the opportunity to relive some of the most memorable:

United 3-0 Athletic Bilbao [Agg. 6-5] - European Cup quarter-final, 1957

A comeback of epic proportions and one that proved the Busby Babes could compete at the highest level a year before their tragic demise, United overturned a 5-3 first leg defeat with a stunning 3-0 win over the Spanish side at Old Trafford. Goals came from Johnny Berry, Tommy Taylor and Dennis Viollet sent Matt Busby's side into the semis where they finally met their match in the shape of Alfredo Di Stefano's Real Madrid.

United 3-0 Barcelona [Agg. 3-2] - European Cup Winner's Cup quarter-final, 1984

One of the most memorable European nights of all time, albeit in the Cup Winner's Cup and not the European Cup proper, Captain Marvel Bryan Robson inspired United to a famous win over Diego Maradona's Barcelona. Robson's first-half header and a second on 50 minutes gave United hope before, roared on by a packed Old Trafford, Frank Stapleton swooped in front of the Stretford End to send United through.

Juventus 2-3 United [Agg. 3-4] - Champions League semi-final, 1999

The first big European comeback of the Alex Ferguson era also proved to be one of Roy Keane's finest hours. The Irishman headed United back into the game after Pippo Inzaghi had put Juve two up on the night and 3-1 up on aggregate within 11 just minutes. That goal sparked United into life and further goals from Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole - the latter with just six minutes remaining on the clock - sent United through to their first final since 1968.

Bayern Munich 1-2 United - Champions League final, 1999

The greatest comeback of all time? Liverpool fans may disagree, but quite possibly it was. Having gone behind to Mario Basler's fifth minute strike, United struggled to impose themselves on the game at the Nou Camp and with time running out, their hopes of ending 31 years of heartache were quickly vanishing. Enter Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in stoppage time and the rest, they say, is history.

United 7-1 Roma [Agg. 8-3] - Champions League quarter-final, 2007

United's hammering of Roma last season was the biggest win in Champions League history and such was the margin of victory, the fact that United headed into the game trailing 2-1 from the first leg is often overlooked. If any pre-match apprehension existed, it soon disappeared as Michael Carrick (2), Cristiano Ronaldo (2), Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra all netted to send United into the semis once again.

Follow LIVE text commentary on the game at Old Trafford tonight right here on eurosport.yahoo.com from 19:45 BST!

Mike Hytner / Eurosport