United travel without Giggs, Saha and Neville thus opening up the opportunity for Wayne Rooney to take the captain’s armband. A proud Wayne Rooney will lead out a changed line-up to face a side that showed glimpses of talent at Old Trafford that should not go ignored.
Wes Brown has been tipped to start at right back, with Heinze coming in for Evra, Solskjaer coming in for Saha and possibly O’Shea coming into midfield. The Guardian predicts a 4-3-3 formation. Strange when you consider how outspoken they have been about the failings of that system for United. I expect 4-4-2.
One of the strong calls has been for Fergie to give Smith more game time – judging for the Carling Cup game he clearly does need it. However, I don’t think he needs more than a subs performance right now and Solskjaer’s form means he deserves to start. The other talk has been of O’Shea coming into midfield to rest Scholes, which begs the question: How should United start this game? Do you go into it with those available from the impressive result against Bolton or do you ring the changes more widely to provide game-time for those waiting their chance. On the issue of whether to play or rest Scholes, I would play Scholes. United will need to turn in a professional and assured performance tonight. Key to that will be controlling the game. If United can do that and get on top then changes can be made and legs can be rested.
As an outside bet, I just wonder whether Fergie will offer Kuszczak a taste of away games in the Champions League. Long odds but these chances are few and far between in this competition.
Probable line-up: Van der Saar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Ronaldo, Solskjaer, Rooney.
Subs from: Kuszczak, Evra, Silvestre, Lee, Smith, Richardson, O’Shea
Prediction: 0-2 (Rooney, Solskjaer)
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