Fergie has confirmed what has been suspected all summer, that Alan Smith is earmarked as Keano’s replacement. Fergie said, "Someone has to step in there eventually. It has happened in the past with great players, as when Roy replaced Bryan Robson, that has happened throughout the history of our club.
“We are trying to utilise Alan Smith's abilities. He has great character, a great personality and is a very committed player. He is quick, he is very enthusiastic to play in that position and he will get an opportunity to show what he can do."
Silvestre and O’Shea are both injured, so expect starts from Wes Brown and Gabriel Heinze. Fergie has also confirmed that Ronaldo and Giggs will start, "Ronaldo will start because he hasn't begun a match for us yet and so will Ryan. I will have to make a decision about the one to play from Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney and Park Ji-Sung. It is a tough decision but a good one to have."
Van der Sar, Howard, Neville, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Brown, Pique, Heinze, Richardson, Fletcher, Scholes, Smith, Giggs, Park, Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy, Rooney, Rossi.