Irish international John O'Shea and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Roy Carroll are both very likely to start Manchester United's Champions League qualifier against Zalaegerszeg in Budapest tomorrow, following the news that Rio Ferdinand and Fabien Barthez are both definitely out of the tie. Record-signing Ferdinand suffered an ankle injury in the defeat of Boca Juniors at Old Trafford on Saturday and while the damage is not as bad as it was initially feared, it will probably also keep him out of the Premiership opener with West Brom. Barthez has been struggling with a hip problem picked up on United's pre-season tour to Amsterdam and is also a doubt to face the Baggies.
Otherwise, United are at full-strength, with skipper Roy Keane among the party which left Manchester this morning. The controversial Irishman was met by a barrage of flashlights as he reached the departure gate having found out he faces Football Association sanctions over his comments about his infamous tackle on Alf Inge Haaland two years ago. Keane remained tight-lipped over his comments, while manager Sir Alex Ferguson also refused to discuss the matter.
The United manager was more willing to talk about the match in Hungary: "It is a round we didn't really want to be playing in, but we are here now and we have to be focused," said Ferguson. We have seen them a couple of times on tape, but the most important thing is we play to our potential. You can play sides of any standard, but if you don't play well they're all capable of beating you. "
Filed by James Boylan
