Ferguson could deploy strike duo

Alex Ferguson could pair Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha in attack as Manchester United look for the victory required to seal runners-up spot in the Barclays Premiership against Middlesbrough tomorrow.

With Wayne Rooney definitely missing following the injury he picked up in yesterday’s defeat at Chelsea, Ferguson is likely to choose both the men who have been vying for a place in United’s starting line-up recently.

The United boss expects to have Gabriel Heinze available after a minor groin strain and, after Mikael Silvestre’s poor performance at Stamford Bridge, the Argentinian could start, although Patrice Evra is also a possibility in the left-back role.

Provisional squad: Van der Sar, Howard, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Vidic, Pique, Silvestre, Heinze, Evra, Ronaldo, Giggs, O’Shea, Richardson, Park, Saha, Van Nistelrooy, Rossi.