Crocked trio miss United Euro trip
Ryan Giggs ruled out of Champions League tie in Copenhagen
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Tuesday, 31, Oct 2006 12:20
Sir Alex Ferguson has suffered a major setback today after three of his first-choice regulars were ruled out of tomorrow night's Champions League tie in Copenhagen.
Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Louis Saha have all sustained injuries and have not travelled to Denmark with the rest of the 19-man Manchester United squad.
Welsh wing wizard Giggs misses the match with a hamstring strain, Saha has a knee complaint and skipper Neville is sidelined with a recurrence of a long-running calf injury.
Attempting to put a positive spin on the setback, Ferguson said: "It's a blow not to have such experienced players but we've got a big squad.
Patrice Evra, who has been suffering with an ankle knock picked up against Bolton on Saturday, is included in the travelling squad but is rated as doubtful to start.
Neville's absence could pave the way for Wes Brown to start at full-back while Ferguson is expected to play Cristiano Ronaldo on the left flank in place of Giggs, with Darren Fletcher starting wide right.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in prolific form following his injury hell, is pushing for a starting place up front alongside Wayne Rooney, although Alan Smith is also in contention.
United are currently top of group F, three points ahead of second-placed Celtic who make the tough trip to Benfica tomorrow.
Three points for Ferguson's Red Devils against Copenhagen would guarantee their progression through to the knockout stages of this year's competition.