u forgot owen he is good too

__________________
Retired

United keeper ponders loan exit

Ben Foster has admitted he may be forced to leave Manchester United on loan when he makes his long-awaited return to fitness.

The goalkeeper – with one England cap to his name – was expected to challenge Edwin van der Sar for the number one shirt at Old Trafford this season but suffered a serious knee injury over the summer.

He now hopes to return to full training by February, but with both Van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak blocking his route to the first team under Sir Alex Ferguson, Foster is prepared to leave on loan if necessary.

“I now expect to be fit by February,” Foster told the News of the World.

“But I might even have to go out on loan for a couple of months just to blow the cobwebs away.”

After joining United from Stoke City in 2005, Foster spent two hugely successful seasons on loan with Watford, and it was during his time at Vicarage Road that the 24-year-old earned his first England cap in the 1-0 defeat to Spain in February.

__________________
iGod

United keep an eye on Tevez's brother
By IAN LADYMAN
23:27pm on 15th October 2007

Manchester United are keeping tabs on Carlos Tevez's teenage brother. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has identified Miguel Tevez, 17, as a star of the future during a two-week trial at United which has just finished.

The attacking midfielder was recommended to Ferguson by his assistant Carlos Queiroz. Ferguson has yet to decide whether to offer Tevez Jnr a permanent deal and it is understood the teenager has been home-sick during his stay in England.

But sources close to United said Ferguson was impressed by his ability and attitude and has told his staff that his development must be monitored.

Miguel also spent time at West Ham when Tevez was there last season and is considered one of South America's most improved young players.

He is known as the 'little Apache' at home and began his career at Boca Juniors, where his brother made his name.

United have handed a trial to Southend midfielder Medi Abalimba, 16, who will link up with the club at the end of the month.


wow... 2 Tevezs'

__________________
President of AJClubx
Keep it moist and let it hang

May u be blessed with a willing body, monster hard-on, powerful penetrating thrusts, May u also enjoy everlasting orgasm and with each squirt suffer a thousand volts of excruciating joy cum euphoric exaltation throughout your anatomy....

United told to wait for starlet

Partizan Belgrade insists they will not be selling Manchester United target Stevan Jovetic until next summer.

The 17-year-old has emerged as one of the hottest young properties in Europe and reports suggest that Manchester United are heading the chase for his signature.

Rivals Manchester City, along with Ajax, Sampdoria and Real Madrid have also been linked with the Montenegro international, who is valued at £7million.

Nothing decided

It is claimed United are trying to tie up a deal with Partizan - but they have insisted that nothing has yet been decided.

"We must decide the pros and cons of selling Jovetic," Partizan director Gordan Petric said.

"We will decide that at the end of the season. A lot of clubs are interested in him."

Talent

Legend and now Montenegrin FA president Dejan Savicevic thinks that Jovetic would be a good signing for United.

"I am not surprised by the interest of Manchester United," he told The Sun.

"Stevan could play in any of the biggest clubs in Europe. And I think United would get him on the cheap even for £7million."

Van der Sar's new deal
Dutchman to continue his glove affair

Manchester United are set to open talks with Edwin van der Sar over a new one-year contract extension.

The Dutch goalkeeper has been in excellent form this season, keeping seven successive clean sheets, and United are ready to reward his exemplary contribution.

Despite being 36, United believe he can play on until May 2009 before eventually leaving Old Trafford.

Van der Sar, who currently earns around £35,000 a week, will retire from international football with Holland after next summer's Euro Championships.

That will free him to focus his attention fully on his commitments to United, who expect England keeper Ben Foster (inset) to emerge as his long-term replacement.

After Van der Sar's heroics in United's 1-0 win over Sporting Lisbon last month, Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he should have signed him when he first had the chance in 1999.

Fergie waited until the summer of 2005 to take the keeper from Fulham, and said: "Edwin has been with us for three seasons now and when I bought him I knew he was going to be one of my best buys.

"I should have done it years ago when I had the chance but I let it slip through my fingers. Even now, at 36, he still has such great enthusiasm.

"He has played 120 times for Holland and won everything in the game, yet he still sets such a great example for all other goalkeepers."

After missing United's last two games with a toe injury, Van der Sar is expected to return at Aston Villa on Saturday night.

Fergie has revealed United are leaving nothing to chance ahead of their Champions League trip to Dynamo Kiev next week when a win will virtually guarantee their place in the knockout stage following victories over Sporting Lisbon and Roma.

United will make the five-hour flight - with their own chefs and dieticians - a day earlier than normal to ensure they are fully rested for the Group F encounter.

Fergie explained: "The travel is always the biggest worry in these situations. Ukraine is further away than most other journeys around Europe.

"Kiev produce good players and the pitch is very large. There's a running track around it and it gives the appearance of being vastly bigger than normal."

Southend's 16-year-old midfield player Medi Abalimba is to spend four days on trial at United's Carrington training HQ.

__________________
iGod

Giggs extends Reds deal

Manchester United is pleased to announce that Ryan Giggs has today extended his contract for a further season until the end of June 2009.

Ryan has 18 major titles to his name including 9 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 2 League Cups and 1 European Cup. He made his United debut at Old Trafford on 2nd March 1991 against Everton and has played 727 matches to date - making him second only to Sir Bobby Charlton (759) in most appearances for the Club - and scored 141 goals.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: “I am absolutely delighted that Ryan has signed for a further season. Ryan Giggs epitomises the word loyalty, he signed here as a 14-year old school boy and is still with the club 20 years on. Apart from his playing ability he has a fantastic demeanour and is a great role model to the younger players. I am sure he will be at the Club for a long time to come.”

Ryan Giggs said: “I am delighted to have signed for a further season. I am enjoying football more than ever and I hope to carry on playing football for Manchester United for as long as I can. I would like to thank Sir Alex, the fans and everyone at the Club for the great support I have received over the years.”

Ryan's Honours List

Barclays Premier League: 1992/93, 1993/94, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2002/03, 2006/07
FA Cup: 1993/94, 1995/96, 1998/99, 2003/04
League Cup: 1991/92, 2005/06
European Cup: 1998/99
European Super Cup: 1991
Intercontinental Cup: 1999
Community Shield: 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007

__________________
iGod

Younger Tevez signs for Man United

CARLOS TEVEZ’S younger brother Miguel has joined Manchester United on a 2½-year deal.

Miguel Tevez impressed on his two-week trial at Old Trafford during the international break.

Miguel, 17, was brought to boss Alex Ferguson’s attention by his assistant Carlos Queiroz.

The midfielder began his career with Argentine side Boca Juniors — his brother’s first club.

He is considered one of Argentina’s top young talents and also had a trial at West Ham during Carlos’ spell there.

But the Hammers did not follow up their interest in the player.

It is understood businessman Kia Joorabchian — who owns the rights to Carlos — also represents Miguel and has been trying to find him a club.

__________________
President of AJClubx
Keep it moist and let it hang

May u be blessed with a willing body, monster hard-on, powerful penetrating thrusts, May u also enjoy everlasting orgasm and with each squirt suffer a thousand volts of excruciating joy cum euphoric exaltation throughout your anatomy....

Aston Villa v Man Utd

Villa Park
Saturday, 20 October
Kick-off: 1715 BST

BIG-MATCH FACTS
Aston Villa and Manchester United are both in the top three of the Premier League's "Form" table.

Villa are chasing a fifth successive home win; United are out to extend their winning league run to seven games.

The Midlanders have conceded a goal a game on average; the defending champions have kept an unequalled seven Premier League clean sheets, including six in a row and have not let in a goal in 10 hours.

United are bidding for a 10th consecutive Premier League victory over Villa. They've kept clean sheets in each of the last five winning league trips to Villa Park.

Villa have lost more times to Manchester United in the Premier League than they have to any other club (21).

CLUB FORM
ASTON VILLA

Club stats
Fixtures
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 4th
Lowest could fall: 10th

1. Won 50% and lost 25% of their Premier League matches; four and two of eight, respectively.

2. The current tally of 14 points after eight games is on a par with last season, when they went on to finish 14th.

3. Lost one of the last seven league outings.

4. Completed 19 Premier League matches since losing by more than a single goal; 2-0, away to Reading on 10 February.

5. One of six clubs with a 100% record from Premier League matches in which they opened the scoring (won three of three).

6. Used fewer players in Premier League competition than any other, with the exception of Blackburn. Both have fielded just 17.

7. Claimed 12 points out of 12 at home, and lost just once in 10 league games at Villa Park; 1-2 against Liverpool on the opening day, 11 August.

8. Kept clean sheets in the last three home league matches, and not conceded in 354 minutes (five hours 54 minutes) of Premier League soccer at Villa Park since Clint Dempsey's early opener for Fulham on 25 August, in a match Villa won 2-1.

9. One goal short of shipping 400 in home Premier League matches all time.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Club stats
Fixtures
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1st
Lowest could fall: 3rd

1. Won the last three in all competitions, and eight of nine.

2. Won two thirds of their league fixtures (six of nine).

3. On the joint longest winning run in the Premier League with Arsenal of six matches.

4. Not dropped a single point since the 1-0 defeat, away to Manchester City on 19 August; their only loss in nine league outings this term.

5. Boasting the tightest defence in the top division with just two goals conceded all season, while their nine matches have yielded a lower aggregate than any other of the 20 clubs; 13 (11 for, two against).

6. Scored 11 goals in 11 Premier League matches (including the last two fixtures of last season).

7. Opened the scoring in more Premier League games this term than any other club; seven.

8. Not conceded in six Premier League matches or 599 minutes (nine hours 59 minutes) of Premier League football since Geovanni scored the winner for Manchester City on 19 August.

9. Built a three-match winning sequence in league and cup games away from home.

10. This match precedes the Champions League Group F clash in Ukraine, against Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.

KEY PLAYER NOTES
ASTON VILLA

Gabriel AGBONLAHOR, Gareth BARRY, Olof MELLBERG and Ashley YOUNG have all been on the field for every minute of every one of Villa's Premier League games this season.

AGBONLAHOR and Shaun MALONEY are Villa's joint leading scorers, with three goals each.

All three of AGBONLAHOR'S have been league goals - making the 20 year old the club's leading marksman in the Premier League.

Marlon HAREWOOD, needs one goal to total 100 in his league career (Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and West Ham).

MANCHESTER UNITED

RONALDO is Manchester United's top scorer with four goals, and the clubs leading marksman in the Premier League, with three.

RONALDO has scored five Premier League goals for United against Villa, including three last season.

Ryan GIGGS who signed a one year extension to his contract this week to keep him at Old Trafford until 2009, is a double short of 100 career League goals.

Patrice EVRA, Rio FERDINAND and Paul SCHOLES have been on the field for every minute of every one of Manchester United's Premier League matches this season.

If selected:-

RONALDO will be making his 200th appearance for Manchester United.

Rio FERDINAND will be making his 350th career league appearance (West Ham, Bournemouth, Leeds and Manchester United).

Nemanja VIDIC will be playing on the eve of his 26th birthday.

If on the field from the outset:-

Wes BROWN will be making his 150th Premier League start in a Manchester United shirt.

Chris EAGLES will be making his 50th English league start (Manchester United, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday).

Gary NEVILLE will be making his 350th Premier League start - all for the Red Devils.


HEAD TO HEAD
Villa have failed to beat Manchester United in 19 league and cup matches, since a 3-0 triumph in the third round of the Worthington League Cup on 13 October 1999.

The Midlanders' last home Premier League victory over the Red Devils came on 19 August 1995. Ian Taylor, Mark Draper and a Dwight Yorke penalty were the scorers in a 3-1 success.

United have gained nine successive victories on the Villa Park turf (five Premier League trips, FA Cup third round ties in 2002 and 2004 and FA Cup semi-finals against Arsenal in 2004, and Watford last season).

Home and away
League (inc PL): 42 wins, Man United 72, Draws 34
Prem: Villa 2 wins, Man United 21, Draws 7

at Villa only
League (inc PL): 32 wins, Man United 24, Draws 18
Prem: Villa 2 wins, Man United 10, Draws 3


LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Aston Villa 0-3 Manchester United
23 December 2006 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Man United scorers: Ronaldo 58, Scholes 64, Ronaldo 85

REFEREE
Rob Styles (Waterlooville, Hampshire)

Premier League referees' table
Rob Styles's 2007-08 Premier League card count

__________________
You only live ONCE, pass this way but ONCE..

Van der Sar fit for return

Edwin van der Sar has declared himself fit for Manchester United’s trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.

The veteran Dutchman has missed United’s last two games with a toe injury he picked up in his team’s victory at Birmingham last month.

Van der Sar was named in Holland’s squad for their recent Euro 2008 qualifiers but was then forced to withdraw from Marco van Basten’s set up, prompting fears that he may have suffered a recurrent injury.

However the 36-year-old is 'feeling good’ and expects to replace Tomasz Kuszczak between the posts for United at Villa Park.

“I feel good,” he said. “I went away with the national team last week because I felt I could have played on the Saturday [against Romania].

“Unfortunately, the progress was not quick enough. There was no point in taking a risk and aggravating it, so I decided not to play and focus on this game instead.”


Saha injured again

Manchester United striker Louis Saha has suffered a fresh injury setback which looks set to rule him out of tomorrow's trip to Aston Villa.

But United skipper Gary Neville, out since March with an ankle injury, is poised to make his long-awaited comeback on the bench at Villa Park.

Injury-prone Saha (left) has had a recurrence of the knee problem which has blighted his United career and has not trained all week.

__________________
iGod

He's at it again. Really true to his nick: Saha At Hospital Again. This MC king doesn't suprise us anymore

__________________
You only live ONCE, pass this way but ONCE..

Man Utd is on form now and is hot on arsenal wheels... go devil.

Saha out, Vidic doubt

LOUIS Saha's injury nightmare continues with the striker ruled out of Manchester United's Champions League trip to Dynamo Kiev - while Nemanja Vidic remains a doubt.

The injury-plagued French international was hoping to make the trip to the Ukraine despite missing the 4-1 win at Aston Villa with a long-term knee problem.

But he was not United's travelling party which headed out to the Ukraine, raising fresh doubts over his long-term fitness.

England duo Gary Neville and Owen Hargreaves were also missing but Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic, who sat out the Villa Park win, was in the squad, even though Sir Alex Ferguson remains unconvinced the former Spartak Moscow player will be available after suffering concussion during the Premier League win over Wigan.

Ferguson said: "Vidic is a doubt for Tuesday. He trained on Friday but he is still feeling some reaction to the knock he got against Wigan.

"In that situation you can't take a chance. I'm hopeful he will be ready. We will see how he is. He will be close but I'm not so sure he will be ready to play in Kiev."

If Vidic is ruled out then Wes Brown is likely to partner Rio Ferdinand at the heart of the United back four.

Ferguson reported no fresh injury concerns from Saturday's win.


Ferdinand hails strike duo

Rio Ferdinand believes Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez have proved they can play together.

The Manchester United strikers were outstanding in the 4-1 demolition of Aston Villa on Saturday.

Both men scored in the 4-0 romp against Wigan in their last United game, with the young England striker adding a brace against Villa to make it six goals in his last five games.

Ferdinand said: "Wayne is in the groove and he is one of those who gets goals in spurts. He is one of those who goes on a mad goal spree.

"Wayne is definitely capable of getting 20 odd goals this season. He did it last season and I'd put money on him to do it this season if I was a betting man.

"Top players always bounce back from setbacks. We had a setback in midweek with England and, as a top player, Wayne came back strongly for us."

Ferdinand added: "Carlos gets in the holes between the midfield and the defence of opponents and, if he can keep doing that and slipping the ball through to Wayne, they will continue to be a formidable pairing.

"It is fantastic for us to have Wayne and Carlos. The myth about the two of them not being able to play together ... was finally put to bed against Villa."

Rooney believed Manchester United performed well at Villa after taking time to get going.

"We knew the other results before we played and we knew we had to get the three points. We didn't have the best of starts. Their two forwards harassed our defence and did really well.

"But we got going and Carlos (Tevez) is a great player. I can play as the one going in behind or looking for the ball in behind and Carlos can do the same so we can switch quite easily."

__________________
iGod

Gunning for Arsenal: Manchester United Back on Track

After a slow start, Manchester United seem to be in good form once again.

For a while Alex Ferguson's squad were barely capable of snatching 1-0 wins, and everyone was beginning to wonder where the goals would come from—but the latest results speak for themselves:

4-0 vs. Wigan, and 4-1 vs. Aston Villa.

The Tevez-Rooney partnership is coming together smoothly, and Nani and Anderson are beginning to establish themselves as reliable players.

Fergie, for his part, is confident in his side—and who are we to disagree?

If United continue their current run, we'll have a truly exciting season on our hands. Arsenal have been called invincible, and are one of only two clubs in the league yet to lose a game, but the question remains:

Are Man U headed for a 10th Premier League title?

__________________
President of AJClubx
Keep it moist and let it hang

May u be blessed with a willing body, monster hard-on, powerful penetrating thrusts, May u also enjoy everlasting orgasm and with each squirt suffer a thousand volts of excruciating joy cum euphoric exaltation throughout your anatomy....

Manchester United: Ready For A New 1999?


The Build-Up

This story begins with a treble out of the blue. Not United's heroic 1999 exploits – their domination and progression made that almost inevitable – but the transfers of Nani, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves at the end of last season.

There was an optimistic buzz all summer following this unprecedented and unexpected coup, as many tipped the title holders to defend their crown.

The drama and hype heightened as a move for West Ham's Carlos Tevez unearthed much contractual controversy; the saga ended with the Argentine securing a two-year loan deal, with a view to the move being made permanent. Expectations were arguably higher than ever.

Manchester United began the season with a degree of confidence following a routine preseason followed by a characteristically slow, uninspiring Community Shield that ended in an emphatic 3-0 shootout victory over Chelsea.

Wake Up Call

However, the opening day of the season was to be a wake-up call; an unfortunate Rooney injury saw a then-toothless United draw with a defiantly dull Reading side 0-0.

This result proved ominous as they failed to defeat Portsmouth three days later, Cristiano Ronaldo somewhat dubiously seeing red in the process. This was followed by a dominant performance which miraculously resulted in a loss to Sven's men; a revitalised, Thaksin-backed Manchester City took the local bragging rights with a 1-0 victory that left Manchester United in the relegation zone after three games played.

Crisis. New signings or not, removing Rooney and Ronaldo from the team rendered United offensively powerless. Tevez was sluggish, as were veterans Scholes and Giggs. Anderson and Hargreaves were injured, and Nani was still learning. Solsjkaer sadly retired, Smith was sold.

Questions began arising. Was Tevez sufficient as a new signing or was he too similar to Rooney? Did United require a number 9 instead, or a target man alternative? Was Louis Saha ever going to remain fit enough to serve as either at the top level?

The Results, But No Show

Next game, Tottenham's touch-and-go penalty claims were brushed aside, only for Nani to power home his first competitive goal for the club to seal an invaluable inaugural 1-0 victory. They continued to win 1-0; leaving it late and failing to convince fans and media alike.

Even with both Rooney and Ronaldo back in the side, a near full-strength United failed to genuinely impress against a Chelsea side in complete disarray following the departure of the integral Jose Mourinho. Controversial decisions evened themselves out – it finished 2-0 – but the ongoing inability to reproduce last season's football was disconcerting.

The lack of competitive edge to United's second string was then exposed as they were sent crashing out of the Carling Cup at the first hurdle against Coventry. Following that, they were outplayed in their opening Champions League fixture versus a revenge-seeking Roma, yet managed to produce a fortuitous 1-0 victory.

The results were coming but the questions remained unanswered; to many it remained a matter of time before United would be found out unless the weaknesses at hand were addressed on the pitch.

And Then, There It Was

And so they were. A first half resistance from Wigan was obliterated by four second half goals, with Anderson instrumental and imposing throughout as a playmaker, and Tevez – scorer of the crucial first goal – looking menacing in a dynamic partnership with Rooney, the team won emphatically and went temporarily top of the table.

The following international break could have taken its toll on the side – yesterday saw them concede their first in eight games and have to come from behind at Villa Park – and though it must be said Aston Villa's defending was careless, United took their crucial chances under pressure as the match ended 4-1.

What's Ahead>

Some might say they their form has been fortunate and aided by defensive errors, but it is true that good teams force defensive errors – and also that they grind out victories when not playing well. Rooney and Tevez certainly may be alike, but serve as a stocky, light-skinned alternative to Yorke and Cole, who were also similar.

Giggs and Scholes remain uncertainties, but Nani and Anderson are improving game-by-game. Hargreaves has had injuries, but will be a key Keane-like figure in midfield. Ferdinand and Vidic went seven games without conceding in front of van der Sar's goal – who himself has been solid when tested. And with Patrice Evra staking his claim a star fullback, along with the heir to the number 7 upholding its world class prestige, things look ominous.

Could this story end with a treble out of the blue? There are kinks to be ironed out: the Saha/number 9 saga, who exactly will succeed van der Sar, when and how to ease Giggs and Scholes out of the starting eleven and more; but with Chelsea unpredictable, Liverpool rotating and Arsenal inexperienced, United appear to have the best balance in England.

Whether it is this season or next, a treble or merely a Champions League win, a period of dominance seems imminent.

__________________
President of AJClubx
Keep it moist and let it hang

May u be blessed with a willing body, monster hard-on, powerful penetrating thrusts, May u also enjoy everlasting orgasm and with each squirt suffer a thousand volts of excruciating joy cum euphoric exaltation throughout your anatomy....

English Premier League 2007-08 season: United primed for Kiev clash

LONDON: Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United could not be in better form ahead of their crucial Champions League meeting with Dynamo Kiev tomorrow after producing their best performance of the season to defeat Aston Villa 4-1 at Villa Park on Saturday.

The Manchester United manager hailed the victory, sparked by two goals from Wayne Rooney as his side's best performance of the season and it was achieved with the added luxury of being able to rest Portuguese star Christiano Ronaldo before the trip to the Ukraine.

Ferguson has seen his side score eight goals in their last two Premier League outings and they have strung together a run of seven successive league wins to move within two points of leaders Arsenal, although they have played a game more and now he wants to make an impact in Group F of the Champions League qualifying stages.

"The European game in midweek is a big game. It is always a special occasion and we are going in there in good form. Against Villa I thought we played the best football we have done all season," said Ferguson.

"In the first half in particular I thought our attacking play was excellent and that is very encouraging.
"It is never easy going to the Ukraine, but if we can win, with Roma and Sporting Lisbon playing back-to-back games, it gives us the chance to go ahead in the group.

"It is good that we are scoring goals too. Obviously it was disappointing earlier in the season when we were not scoring. It was a surprise too, considering all the players we have, but there were reasons for it.

"Some players missed pre-season, like Tevez and Anderson, while Rooney missed four games injured and Ronaldo was suspended."

Ronaldo was left on the substitutes bench for 77 minutes after returning late on Friday to United's Carrington training complex, following Portugal's 2-1 Euro 2008 qualifying winover Kazakhstan, but he will be restored to the starting line-up against Kiev, probably in place of fellow Portuguese Nani, who took his place against Villa.

United will have to wait until nearer the game to decide whether Nemanja Vidic is sufficiently recovered from a bout of concussion, that prevented him from playing against Villa.

Spanish under-21 international Gerald Pique will continue to deputise if the Serbian defender is not given clearance to play by the United medical staff.

More importantly for United is the form of striker Rooney, who has now scored six times in his last five games, after going six months without a competitive goal and he would have improved that impressive record, but for Stuart Taylor's penalty save at Villa Park.

Rooney looked impressively fit after England's disappointment in Moscow last Wednesday and said: "It is good to be scoring goals again. It makes up a little bit for the disappointment with England, but the most important thing is that we are playing very well as a team at the and scoring goals." - AFP

__________________
President of AJClubx
Keep it moist and let it hang

May u be blessed with a willing body, monster hard-on, powerful penetrating thrusts, May u also enjoy everlasting orgasm and with each squirt suffer a thousand volts of excruciating joy cum euphoric exaltation throughout your anatomy....

Louis Saha has been ruled out of Manchester United's Champions League trip to Dynamo Kiev.

The injury-plagued French striker was hoping to make the trip to the Ukraine despite missing the 4-1 victory at Aston Villa with a long-term knee problem.

However, Saha was not the Red Devils' travelling party which headed out to Ukraine today, raising fresh doubts over his long-term fitness.

England duo Gary Neville and Owen Hargreaves were also missing but Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic, who sat out the Villa Park win, was in the squad, even though Sir Alex Ferguson remains unconvinced the former Spartak Moscow player will be available after suffering concussion during the Premier League win over Wigan immediately before the international break.

Ferguson said after the Villa Park win: "Vidic is a doubt for Tuesday. He trained on Friday but he is still feeling some reaction to the knock he got against Wigan.

"In that situation you can't take a chance. I'm hopeful he will be ready. We will see how he is. He will be close but I'm not so sure he will be ready to play in Kiev."

If Vidic is ruled out then Wes Brown is likely to partner Rio Ferdinand at the heart of the United back four.

Ferguson reported no fresh injury concerns from Saturday's win

__________________