24/11/2008 18:12, Report by Ben Hibbs in Spain
Boss ponders Ronaldo dilemma
Sir Alex Ferguson has a decision to make regarding Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Tuesday's clash with Villarreal - a contest that could help decide the European champions' last 16 fate.
The boss wants to rest his Portuguese winger given the ankle knocks he received during Saturday's stalemate at Aston Villa. But the Ronaldo wants to play.
"That gives me a problem," admitted Sir Alex at his pre-match press conference from the team hotel in Valencia, where the Reds have set up base. "I'd rather leave him out, but he wants to play. Players that show that enthusiasm for playing football, you don’t deter it. You encourage it."
The boss has already made one big selection call - opting for Tomasz Kuszczak in goal ahead of Ben Foster. First-choice keeper Edwin van der Sar did not fly to Spain. Also absent from the travelling 20 were Dimitar Berbatov, Gary Neville and Danny Welbeck, plus long-term injured pair Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes.
“We’ve been trying to give our other goalkeepers experience," Sir Alex added. "There isn't any better experience than playing in an away European tie. It’s a matter of judging the right type of occasions where you can introduce other players. We won’t have Neville, Berbatov, Brown, so circumstances dictate the side I'll pick."
The Reds want a win against Villarreal to clinch top spot in Group E and hopefully a more favourable draw for the last 16 round in February. Group winners play against the runners-up from another group.
United's squad: Foster, Kuszczak; Evra, Rafael, O'Shea, J.Evans, Ferdinand, Vidic; Fletcher, Possebon, Anderson, Carrick, Ronaldo, Park, Nani, Gibson, Giggs; Rooney, Tevez, Manucho |
發表於 2008-11-25 05:29 AM
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