Soccer: United duo hope for medal chance

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson is hoping to give goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw and central defender Ronny Johnsen a taste of the action against Derby so they qualify for championship medals.

Van der Gouw needs to feature in each of the last three fixtures to reach the 10 Premiership appearances he needs to qualify for a medal while Johnsen has to play in two more games after coming back from long-term injury last week.

With first choice keeper Fabien Barthez fit again after missing last week’s win at Middlesbrough van der Gouw is likely to be on the bench at the start but could be brought on before the final whistle.

In a game where Ferguson is expected to make several changes, definitely missing are the suspended Gary Neville and Roy Keane. Paul Scholes is unlikely to be involved after missing training all week as he and his wife await the birth of their second child.

Team (from): Barthez, Brown, Stam, Johnsen, Silvestre, Beckham, Stewart, Butt, Giggs, Cole, Yorke, Sheringham, Solskjaer, P Neville, Irwin, Fortune, Wallwork, Chadwick, Van der Gouw.