VIDIC AND FERDINAND TRAVEL TO ITALY
Defensive duo Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand both flew out to
Milan, with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson still to
decide whether to name them in his Champions League semi-final
line-up. The Red Devils take a 3-2 lead into the decider against AC
Milan at the San Siro, but Ferguson knows the presence of Vidic and
Ferdinand could be invaluable as they look to preserve their narrow
lead.
Ferdinand aggravated a groin injury against Middlesbrough 10 days
ago and Vidic has not played since breaking a collarbone in the
Premiership triumph over Blackburn on March 31. However, Ferguson
was optimistic enough over both players to name them in his
travelling party.
"It is too early to say whether they will play," said the Scot.
"They will travel and we will assess the situation after training."
With Patrice Evra suspended, the odds are at least one of them will
play, allowing Gabriel Heinze to switch into his favoured left-back
role.
Louis Saha could be on the bench despite his recent hamstring
problems although the absence of Gary Neville will only fuel
speculation the United skipper's ankle injury will rule him out for
the season.
Heinze, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes - who famously missed
the 1999 Champions League final - are one caution away from a ban,
although Ferguson will hope the trio remain fully focused on
steering United to what would be only their third European Cup
final.
Twice before, in 1958 and 1969, United have fallen to Milan at this
stage of the competition. Ferguson himself has suffered semi-final
defeats against Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen. But, a
better statistic for United followers is that their club have not
lost a European tie after winning the first leg since 1985 and have
never done so under Ferguson.
