Forget Birmingham’s woes, Queiroz warns on-form United

MANCHESTER UNITED’S players have been told to ignore Birmingham’s worst defeat for 48 years when they tackle Steve Bruce’s ailing team tomorrow.

After the 7-0 home mauling by Liverpool on Tuesday, the last thing Birmingham would wish for right now is a meeting with the Red Devils, who have won five games on the trot since their own FA Cup defeat by Rafael Benitez’s men last month.

With Louis Saha, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo all in scoring form recently and Ruud van Nistelrooy desperate to make an impact after four successive games on the bench, the Birmingham fans who will form part of what could be the largest crowd ever for a United game at Old Trafford, will head up the M6 with an acute sense of trepidation.

But United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz insists there is no point in his players even thinking about Birmingham’s midweek debacle. Instead, they have been warned to expect to face a side desperate to get a positive result to aid their survival fight. “It was a terrible defeat but, for us, it never happened,” said Queiroz.

“We must ignore it because it was a result that belonged to the fantasy world. Those type of results do not exist any more and in any case, is not significant for our game against them.

“The only thing we can do is prepare to meet a team whose players, manager and supporters are fighting for survival.

“It might not be easy for us and we have to recognise that.

“Birmingham will come to Old Trafford and give it everything and it is our duty to know that.

“We need to maintain concentration from the first minute, be strong, do not allow them to believe they can score and try to score as quickly as possible ourselves so we can control the game and play with authority.”

Nevertheless, it would be a major surprise if United failed to collect maximum points which would consolidate second spot and keep up the pursuit of leaders Chelsea.

Once again, it is anticipated van Nistelrooy will start on the bench and his replacement, Saha, is virtually undroppable after his two goals at West Brom last weekend.

Although Park Ji-Sung is available again, United are expected to be unchanged, meaning Birmingham must face a terrifying array of speedy attacking players, including Ronaldo, whose return to form has coincided with that of his club.