It's time for big Ben: rookie keeper Amos may play
for United along with Chester, Cathcart, Tosic and Eckersley
(below)
Sir Alex Ferguson is considering throwing a 19-year-old
goalkeeper who has played just once for Manchester United
into a game that could decide the fate of
Hull City
and Newcastle
United.
It is understood that, as he looks to protect his first-team
players from injury ahead of next Wednesday's Champions League
final against Barcelona in Rome, United manager Ferguson is
considering handing young Ben Amos his Premier League debut at Hull
on Sunday.
Ferguson will not risk first-choice Edwin van der Sar, and with
England's Ben Foster out of action for the rest of the season after
a thumb injury, the United boss is also concerned about playing Van
der Sar's other understudy, Tomasz Kuszczak, in case he is injured
ahead of the European showpiece final.
This leaves only Amos, whose sole first-team appearance was in a
3-1 Carling Cup win over Middlesbrough at Old Trafford last
September. Ferguson is aware of the criticism he will receive if he
fields a team of youngsters against Hull because Newcastle - who
are at
Aston Villa on the same day - will definitely be
relegated if United lose.
He also knows that Rio Ferdinand, who has missed the last two
games with a calf problem, wants to play for half an hour and that
Cristiano Ronaldo is anxious for some game time as he looks to
score the goals that could clinch his position as the league's top
scorer.
Yet both players are likely to be disappointed because Ferguson
has already told his senior stars that most will not be needed at
Hull and that they should instead concentrate on readying
themselves for Rome.
It is expected that the team United field will include
experienced players such as Gary Neville, Darren Fletcher -
suspended for the Champions League final - and Portugal winger Nani
as well as talented young strikers Federico Macheda, Danny Welbeck
and Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson.
Richard Eckersley and James Chester
Elsewhere, Hull and Newcastle fans can expect to see
less heralded players such as defenders James Chester - United's
Young Player of the Year - and Richard Eckersley.
Hull midfielder George Boateng joked: 'We've been talking in the
dressing room about who they may pick. We are hoping that Sir Alex
may even call out someone from the kit room. But whoever he picks
we will be playing to win.'
Zoran Tosic and Craig Cathcart
Ferguson was slammed after an under-strength team lost
to
West Ham when Carlos Tevez
scored the winner on the final day of the 2006-07 season, thus
relegating Sheffield United. Ferguson subsequently rang manager
Neil Warnock to apologise.
But speaking ahead of the weekend draw with Arsenal that
clinched the title for United, Ferguson suggested that any team he
picks would be capable of winning at Hull.
He said: 'I've got a fit and capable squad. I could pick two
very good sides from this squad and the team I select for Sunday
will reflect that.
'I have to assess what's best for Manchester United, but also be
fair to other clubs. That part of it is important.'
He is obliged to play a strong side under Premier League
regulations. Rule E20 states: 'In every league match each
participating club should field a full-strength team.'
Yet the rule is notoriously ambiguous and it is unlikely that
the league would get involved unless Ferguson selected a youth
team.
