Fresh squad the key for Ferguson

ALEX FERGUSON does not expect Manchester United to collapse in their Champions League semi-final with Arsenal next week the same way as they did against AC Milan two years ago.

The Red Devils are facing up to an eerily similar set of circumstances. Having claimed a single goal advantage in the first-leg on home soil, they must tackle a tricky Premier League away game tomorrow lunchtime before then heading off to try and defend their lead and reach another Champions League final.

On the previous occasion, Ferguson’s team coped with the first part of the task quite well, roaring back from two goals down to beat Everton in thrilling style, a win that turned out to be pivotal in that season’s title race.

Yet the following week, United were soundly beaten at the San Siro, with Ferguson admitting his exhausted side simply ran out of steam.”

It means Paul Scholes, Park Ji-sung, Rafael Da Silva and Ben Foster, all unused substitutes on Wednesday, are likely to figure at the Riverside, along with Nani, who was not included at all, and maybe even Danny Welbeck and rising star Federico Macheda, while long-term injury victim Wes Brown will be on the bench.

Arsenal would have to go back to that sorry night in Milan for the last time United suffered the kind of European setback the Gunners need.

“Arsenal did not attack as much as I expected last night,” admitted Ferguson. “But I don’t think it was any fault of theirs, it was a credit to our defending. When our defenders concentrate and are really at the top of their game, they can produce performances like that.”