CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW
Manchester United travel to neutral Cyprus to take on Israeli side Maccabi Hiafa, safe in the knowledge that they are assured of top spot in Group F. Sir Alex Ferguson has made the decision to rest a number of his star performers, including David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Laurent Blanc, Juan Veron and Fabien Barthez who have all been left back in England.
Nicky Butt, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane and Wes Brown are all ruled out through injury and, in the absence of so many first team regulars, youngsters like Kieran Richardson, Daniel Nardello, Lee Roche, Ben Williams and Danish striker Mads Timm have been drafted into the squad.
Ferguson has found himself under fire from United's huge Cypriot supporter base, who were looking forward to seeing their idols play. United's team selection has also annoyed the other Group F teams, Bayer Leverkusen and Olympiakos, who feel the decision has given the Israeli club an unfair advantage in the race for the second and third place.
Ferguson, speaking from Cyprus said: "I can understand the fans over here being upset at not seeing some of the players, but they have to trust us that we are doing the right thing for our club. We have a fantastic support in Cyprus and we don't want to let them down.
"I'm also conscious that Leverkusen and Olympiakos have the right to say 'what the hell is going on?' because they are chasing second place and third place which gives entry to the UEFA Cup. But they have to be aware that whatever team Manchester United put out it will always try. We have to win all the time and the team will have a strong nucleus of experience."
Rio Ferdinand, who been included in the squad, looks set to partner John O'Shea at the centre of the defence and Gary Neville has been handed the captain's armband. Sir Alex said that he had no doubts about giving the captaincy to Neville in the absence of Keane and Beckham, adding: "Gary is effectively our captain off the pitch. He does a lot of work on the boys' behalf and has served the club well for over a decade. All those things make it very easy for me to name him captain."
United's Champions League performances have easily outshone what the Reds have achieved in the Premiership so far this season and Fergie will no doubt be looking for his side to maintain their 100 per cent record and bounce back from their disappointing draw at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Argentine international Veron, who has been in outstanding form in Europe so far, feels that United can go all the way and lift the European Cup.
"I was knocked out of this competition in the quarter-finals two years ago with Lazio and in the semi-finals with United last season. Now it is time to go all the way to the final. Already we are only one of three teams with maximum points along with Barcelona and Milan so that makes us one of the favourites."
