Summary
SIR ALEX Ferguson will leave at least four experienced internationals in the stands at Moscow on Wednesday as the Manchester United manager prepares to break some hearts ahead of the Champions League Final against Chelsea. Ferguson, trying to win his second Champions League Final and secure a unique European and domestic 'double', faces the agonising decision of who to leave out of his 17 for the match at the Luzhniki Stadium.
With a choice between Owen Hargreaves and Carlos Tevez representing the only real question mark over his starting line-up, Ferguson admits that it will hurt him to tell six or seven members of his squad that they will not even be on the substitutes' bench when he calls his players together at the team hotel on Wednesday morning. 'We have 25 players for Moscow,' said Ferguson. 'That means seven of them can't even get stripped and sit on the bench. I know my team. But the substitutes are the biggest problem. 'Some very good players are going to be left out. It is not easy to tell them that. I will tell them myself. That's what I have always done. 'But it doesn't matter what I tell them. 'I don't think it registers or resonates with them at all. 'The disappointment is deep and it is understandable. 'The consolation for anyone who is not playing in the final is to be on the bench because they do then feel part of it. 'I hope that at some point in the Champions League they extend the substitutes bench to 11 outfield players as they do in World Cup games. I think that would be justified in the final. 'The dilemma I have in deciding who is going to be on the bench should be taken from me, quite simply.' Although defender Gerard Pique has negotiated a move to Barcelona, he will travel with the squad. But Louis Saha is injured so it is possible United will actually have 24 players on the plane to Moscow this morning. That leaves six to sit with the board members and sponsors and it would appear at the moment that four will be experienced players, with Ferguson choosing from a group comprising Gary Neville, Mikael Silvestre, Anderson, Darren Fletcher and Nani.See the full content of this document
Extract
Ferguson Will Dash Dreams of Final Four
It is thought that Tevez or Hargreaves will join John O'Shea, Rya...
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