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Fergie to ring the changes
20/07/2008 16:01 - (SA)
Cape Town - Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson will ring the changes when the Red Devils meet Orlando Pirates in the second match of the Vodacom Challenge at Durban's Kings Park Stadium on Tuesday night. Kick-off is at 20:10.
Speaking after his European and English champions were held to a surprising draw 1-1 by a new-look Kaizer Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday, Ferguson said he would make at least three changes to the side that drew with Amakhosi.
The United boss will introduce England internationals Rio Ferdinand, his England national teammate, midfielder Michael Carrick and French defender Mikael Silvestre for the clash against Bucs.
Explained Ferguson: "The idea of this pre-season tournament is to give all the players some game time. Rio had a back spasm before the match against Chiefs. He also missed our friendly against Aberdeen last weekend, therefore, he is behind schedule and badly needs game time.
"Carrick pulled up with a minor in jury before the match (against Chiefs) while Silvestre is ready to come back after injury."
Ferguson also said that he did not see the two United veterans Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, who played as central midfielders against Chiefs, as a permanent option when the new English season kicks off next month.
"I was forced to play Giggsy in a central midfield role with Scholes due to injuries. Both players can play in that role but I do not see then pairing up in the new season in central midfield on a permanent basis."
Expect tough games
After the way Chiefs fought in front of a capacity crowd at Newlands, Ferguson has new respect for South African club soccer.
He is wary of Pirates. Said the legendary United manager: "When we played in the Challenge two years ago I thought then that Chiefs were the better of the two teams then. But if Pirates show the same commitment and competitiveness that Chiefs displayed, we are heading for another difficult match. But that is the way it should be and the way I want it to be.
"We are using this event to get sharp for our new season and expect tough games."
Two years ago, United outclassed an overawed Buccaneers outfit 4-0 in Durban and went on to lose the Challenge final on penalties with a third string team against Chiefs.
This year, Ferguson has brought his big guns to play and the massive crowd at Newlands loved every minute.
If Pirates can put up as good a display they will be doing local soccer proud, as Chiefs did on Saturday.
Pirates spokesperson Mickey Modisane said that they wanted to make amends for the humiliating 4-0 defeat after watching Chiefs come close to upsetting the side generally regarded as the best club side in world soccer.
New Bucs coach Rudi Krol must be thinking his side are in with more than an even chance of getting revenge for that one-sided thrashing in 2006.
But both Amakhosi and Bucs are heading for a Soweto Derby war at Port Elizabeth's EPRU Stadium on Thursday night (20:10). The Derby winner earns the right to play United in the Challenge final at Loftus.
With a lot more than pride at stake and with their archrivals Chiefs showing the way, Bucs know they cannot fail as badly as they did at the same venue two years ago.
Ferguson said he started with his most experienced side available against Chiefs but, by bringing in fresh experienced legs, means that he will not make the same mistake of underestimating Pirates as did he and his players did against Chiefs.
- SAPA
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