Manchester United are ready for tricky test of UEFA Super Cup against UEFA Cup holder FC Zenit St. Petersburg when they meet today (20:45 GMT) at Stade Louis II in Monaco. Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to win the Super Cup for the second time with United after missing last trophy for Lazio in 1999-2000 season after United won the famous treble in 1999.
The current squad has only one player won the UEFA Super Cup. This player was Edwin Van der Sar with Ajax in 1995 when they won over Real Zaragoza. Ryan Giggs could win it with United in 1991 when they beat Red Star Belgrade 1-0 in a one-off at Old Trafford, as he had not broken into the starting line-up.
United squad will be boosted by the return of Owen Hargreaves and Skipper Gary Neville from an injury. Harhreaves is expected to take part in the game as United middle are missing Cristiano Ronaldo, Micheal Carrick and Park Ji-Song due to injuries. While Nani will be back in the wing as he has completed a three-match ban for his dismissal against West Ham last season.
The confidence is high in the United side. Both John O’Shea and Giggs are plan on putting the record straight when the game against UEFA Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg kickoff.
“We want to win the Super Cup it is as simple as that,” said O’Shea.
“At the end of it to be known as the best club in Europe is what we want and we will be doing our best to get it.”
Giggs added: “It is the winners of the UEFA Cup against the winners of the European Cup so it is a special game.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said that he will start the game with the best players he has. So it is expected that United starting XI be as follow:
GK: Van der Sar. RB: Wes Brown. CB: Rio Ferdinand and Vidic. LB: Evra.
RM: Nani. CM: Scholes and Fletcher. LM: Ryan Giggs. CF: Rooney and Tevez.
Will United win the UEFA Super Cup?
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