Fergie tempted to play himself

MANCHESTER UNITED’S performance was so bad at Portsmouth on Saturday that Alex Ferguson would give himself a game against Sparta Prague if he was picking a team purely on merit.

Ferguson was bitterly disappointed with United’s failure to follow up their momentous victory over Arsenal by taking maximum points at Fratton Park, where instead he watched them slump to a defeat which leaves them seventh in the table, nine points adrift of the Premiership pacesetters.

The long-serving Scot admitted multiple changes would be inevitable if he opted for a knee-jerk reaction to the loss.

But 18 years in charge at Old Trafford have taught Ferguson to remain calm in such situations so he is expected to retain the bulk of his side for tonight’s Champions League clash, where victory would take United to the brink of a place in the last 16.

“We have to use our experience,” said Ferguson.

“The important thing is to pick a team we think will win the game because if I was going to choose one on the evidence of Saturday, I might even get a game myself.” Ferguson and his coaching staff are united in their belief there is too much talent in the Red Devils squad for the situation to last indefinitely, but recognise a change in fortune must come quickly if they are to challenge for honours in May. In European terms, it needs to be now. Having amassed five points from their opening three games, maximum points against Sparta and the Old Trafford encounter with Lyon on November 23 will guarantee them a place in the last 16 before the arduous trip to Fenerbahce in the final game. “As always in Europe, the key is to win your home games,” said Ferguson, whose team have not lost at Old Trafford in 18 Champions League ties, since Deportivo La Coruna beat them in September 2001.

“If we win, the match against Lyon should decide who wins the group. We certainly don’t want to be going to Fenerbahce needing a result because it will be a difficult place to get one. Our European home record has been very good in recent seasons and it’s important we maintain that.

Apart from the return of Roy Keane and Ruud van Nistelrooy, probably at the expense of Alan Smith, the only other possible change would be Saha for Rooney.

After exploding onto the European scene with his debut-day hat-trick against Fenerbahce, the teenage England striker has struggled and Ferguson feels the effects of his 96-day absence with a broken foot is a major factor.

“Wayne didn’t do the pre-season preparation we would have liked but we have to try and pick that up as we go along,” said Ferguson.

“Adrenaline can keep you going in these situations but there is bound to be a levelling out in terms of timing, pace and tiredness.”