Neville and Hargreaves to reappear for United in Monaco

Caption competition
Caption competition
View past winners of our Sports caption competition
News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
Sport blogs

iBet: Stoke face a Valencia side on form

Stoke have lost their last four in the league and play a Valencia side that's third in La Liga.

Rugby League: World Club Challenge raises profits, and eyebrows

After 40-odd years of watching and writing about this game, I thought I had my eyebrows under contro...

iBet: AC Milan’s lead at the top looks temporary

Juventus lost the lead of Serie A in Italy at the weekend by virtue of their game with Bologne being...

The England duo Gary Neville and Owen Hargreaves will both be in Manchester United's Uefa Super Cup line-up in Monaco on Friday. Sir Alex Ferguson has pledged to take the encounter with Uefa Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg seriously after losing out to Lazio the last time United played in the game following their Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich in 1999.

However, Ferguson also recognises the match offers a perfect opportunity to give some game practice to some key figures within his squad. Neither Neville nor Hargreaves have played a competitive game for United yet this season. Hargreaves has been trying to overcome a tendinitis problem, while Neville has missed out due to the form of Wes Brown.

Nani is also available having completed a three-match ban for his dismissal against West Ham United last season. Ryan Giggs should be fit as well after missing Monday night's victory at Portsmouth with a hamstring problem.

While the Super Cup would not normally be given such a high priority in the Old Trafford fixture calendar, reminders of nine years ago still grate at Ferguson, who is determined to beat Dick Advocaat's men this time around. "I want to win," said the United manager. "I remember the last time we went there I only played half a team because we had a Monday league game against Newcastle.

"When I saw Lazio celebrating at the end, it was like they had won the World Cup. I was not too pleased. I thought, 'That will not happen again'."

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

How an abortion divided America

How an abortion divided America

Single mother who took a pill to end her pregnancy is now fighting a landmark prosecution in a conservative state
Can you master a language in a weekend?

Can you master a language in a weekend?

Ed Cooke insists he can use his techniques as a memory expert to help novices learn even the hardest tongues.
The 10 best heaters

The 10 best heaters

From the DeLonghi Retro Fan Heater to the Dimplex MicroFire
Coming soon to a shelf near you: The publishing industry has gone mad for film-style trailers

Coming soon to a shelf near you

The publishing industry has gone mad for film-style trailers
Mad, bad and delightful to know: How Lord Byron became a cultural superstar

How Lord Byron became a cultural superstar

As the poet takes centre stage in the West End, Boyd Tonkin looks into the life of the outspoken champion of the poor
Did they all live happily ever after? That's up to you...

Did they all live happily ever after? That's up to you...

New digital novel will overturn centuries of literary tradition by allowing readers to choose how they would like story to end
How to look good for less – Primark in copycat row

How to look good for less – Primark in copycat row

With London Fashion Week starting tomorrow, designers are closeted in studios putting finishing touches to their collections
James Lawton: Arsène and Arsenal are living in the past

James Lawton

Arsène and Arsenal are living in the past
How Docherty's resurgent Reds beat Dutch greats

How Docherty's resurgent Reds beat Dutch greats

United have met Ajax only once before in Europe, in 1976. The key performers recall an electric occasion
Civil war at Ajax

Civil war at Ajax

A rift between two club legends has torn the Dutch giants apart
Lewis Moody: For an idea of where England are headed, look at Wales now

Lewis Moody column

For an idea of where England are headed, look at Wales now
Geoff Toovey: Little gem with huge incentive to become king of the world

Geoff Toovey interview

Little gem with huge incentive to become king of the world
Picture preview: Portrait of London

Portrait of London

Picture preview
No secularism please, we're British

No secularism please, we're British

Arguments about the role of religion in national life have recently acquired a new urgency
Harold Tillman: 'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'

Harold Tillman interview

'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'