Ferguson gets chance to change

Alex Ferguson will get the chance to make a few changes next week after Manchester United's tense 3-2 Champions League win at Olympiakos.

After limping their way through the campaign with a succession of long-term injuries, United secured a place in the second group stage, and Ferguson can excuse some players a draining trip to Cyprus next week.

Spanish goalkeeper Ricardo is almost certain to make his first start since his arrival from Real Valladolid, while Ryan Giggs and David Beckham could also be rested, even though the Reds still need a point to ensure top spot in Group F.

"It's good that we have got a place in the second stage because it means we can make changes next week," said Ferguson.

"The players who performed tonight are the same ones who have performed for most of the season.

"We have not been in a position, or had the luxury to change the team around, which has been a feature of our selections over the last few years. Next Tuesday we now have an opportunity to do it."

With Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane and Nicky Butt among the notable absentees - and all rated doubtful for Saturday's home game Aston Villa - Ferguson wasn't going to take any chance with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was left on the bench after suffering an ankle injury in training.

The United boss was fearful of Solskjaer aggravating the injury on a firm pitch, while David Beckham walking off the pitch with an ice-pack strapped to his ankle was dismissed by Ferguson among the various "bumps and bruises".

United are one of only three sides, along with Barcelona and AC Milan, to have recorded a 100per cent record from their four group matches so far.

But they had to endure a needless struggle to keep their run going.

Laurent Blanc nodded United in front midway through the first half before Juan Sebastian Veron exchanged passes with Ryan Giggs to drive home a brilliant second after an hour.

With the visitors in total command, Ferguson took off Beckham and Giggs, only for Olympiakos to hit back twice in four minutes through Lambros Choutos and Predrag Djordjevic.

At that stage, United were reeling, but slowly they managed to recover their senses and Paul Scholes struck six minutes from time to give the visitors a victory their earlier dominance merited.

"It was pretty worrying when we conceded the second because we had been in a position of control," said Ferguson.

"Luke and Quinton badly need first-team football but it almost backfired on us.

"We gave the ball away in midfield for the first goal, which gave Olympiakos a lift. Then they changed their formation to give them more pace up front and it helped them get a second.

"Fortunately, we managed to get some control back into our play because we had been in a comfortable position before that, so we are really thankful to Paul Scholes for getting us out of trouble."