United short at the back

Manchester United will get a glimpse of life after Edwin van der Sar tomorrow but travel to Southampton for their FA Cup fourth-round tie dealing with a defensive shortage.

Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Van der Sar will not make the trip, although he is not injured, missing a game only two days after it was announced this will be the 40-year-old’s final season.

Recent signing Anders Lindegaard could make his debut, although no final decision has been made, and whichever goalkeeper does play will have to do so behind a makeshift defence, with Rio Ferdinand (groin), Patrice Evra (family bereavement), and Rafael da Silva (concussion) all out.

Midfielder Michael Carrick is also doubtful with an ankle injury.

Team (from): Kuszczak, Lindegaard, O’Shea, Brown, Neville, Vidic, Smalling, Evans, Fabio, Nani, Obertan, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Gibson, Anderson, Giggs, Bebe, Rooney, Berbatov, Hernandez, Owen.