Casualties mount up for United

Manchester United could be without seven of their first-team squad when they face Basle in Switzerland tomorrow.

Veteran centre-half Laurent Blanc is a major doubt for the Champions League clash after limping out of Saturday’s win over Newcastle with a calf injury.

If Blanc trains tonight he could be included but if not Phil Neville, who returns after suspension, is favourite to take over a right full-back with John O’Shea moving into the centre to partner Wes Brown.

Juan Sebastian Veron is also set to return to the starting line up after being dropped to the bench on Saturday following international duty.

United will definitely be without David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and David May.

Ferguson is also likely to turn to United’s youngsters with Luke Chadwick, Kieran Richardson, Lee Roche, Danny Pugh, Daniel Nardiello and Paul Tierney all making the trip.

Team (from): Barthez, P Neville, O’Shea, Blanc, Brown, Silvestre, Forlan, Veron, Fortune, Giggs, Scholes, Solskjaer, van Nistelrooy, Chadwick, Richardson, Roche, Pugh, Nardiello, Tierney, Ricardo.