Giggs misses out on Fergie's 1000th party

Ryan Giggs was forced to sit out tonight’s Champions League encounter with Lyon at Old Trafford as Manchester United looked to mark Alex Ferguson’s 1000th game in charge by sealing a place in the last 16.

Giggs has played more matches under Ferguson than any other player but suffered a hamstring strain in training.

Ferguson overlooked Darren Fletcher and opted instead to hand Alan Smith a right-sided midfield berth, with Cristiano Ronaldo coming back into the side on the left. Gary Neville and Gabriel Heinze were recalled to the full-back berths.

Victory would ensure the Red Devils passage into the knock-out stages with a match to spare as well as taking them above their French opponents in Group D.

Realistically, a draw would be good enough due to the 6-2 hammering United dished out to last-day opponents Fenerbahce earlier in the competition.

With their own qualification already secure, Lyon coach Paul le Guen was focusing on Saturday’s league clash with Auxerre, former Arsenal star Sylvain Wiltord having to settle for a place on the bench.