Fergie forced into changing squad tactics

ALEX FERGUSON has admitted Saturday’s Barclaycard Premiership title twist forced him into a rethink over his squad for tonight’s Champions League encounter with Deportivo La Coruna.

United’s smooth progress into the last eight coupled with Deportivo’s elimination from Group D was always likely to mean Ferguson would offer some of his talented youngsters an opportunity to impress in the Riazor Stadium.

However, the sheer number of unrecognisable faces which streamed through Manchester Airport’s departure lounge yesterday, plus the willingness of Ferguson to discuss Arsenal’s unexpected slip at Blackburn at the weekend, just emphasised how clearly the focus remains on domestic combat despite United’s three-day trip to the European mainland.