Fergie facing defensive dilemma

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is facing a defensive dilemma for the team's trip to Middlesbrough.

Quinton Fortune will replace hamstring injury victim John O’Shea at left-back but, with Mikael Silvestre (knee) rated extremely doubtful, Ferguson must decide whether to use Roy Keane or Gary Neville in central defence or recall Wes Brown, who has yet to make a first-team appearance since his second cruciate knee ligament operation in the summer.

Keane, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Phil Neville should all return after being left out of the starting line-up to face Everton.

Provisional squad: Howard, Carroll, G Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O’Shea, Fortune, Forlan, Fletcher, P Neville, Butt, Keane, Kleberson, Ronaldo, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Bellion, Djemba-Djemba.