SIR Alex Ferguson admits the display of unsung hero Phil Neville against Arsenal on Sunday has left him with a tricky selection problem for tomorrow's match against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
The United manager has to decide whether to recall Roy Keane, who missed Sunday's match with a virus infection, or stand by the younger of the Neville brothers, whose tenacious tackling helped to blunt Arsenal's lethal attack last weekend.
"The first thing to do is to make sure that Keane is fit to play against Portsmouth," Sir Alex said.
"It was a really severe virus infection that laid him low for more than a week.
"He has been back in training for the past couple of days but sometimes these sort of illnesses can leave you drained.
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"If Roy is fit it will give me a selection problem because I thought that, without attracting too much attention, Phil Neville did excellently against Arsenal."
Although several players, notably Paul Scholes, left the pitch nursing bumps and bruises on Sunday, Ferguson will have virtually a full squad at his disposal apart from the injured Quinton Fortune and the suspended Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Alan Smith and the fit-again Luis Saha, who both played in the midweek Carling Cup victory against Crewe, will be vying for the vacant striker's role alongside Wayne Rooney, with the all-action Smith likely to get the nod from boss Ferguson.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard reminded Sir Alex of his ability with a tip-top display at Gresty Road on Tuesday evening.
But the American will have to wait to reclaim his first-team spurs with the dependable Roy Carroll sure to keep his place after scarcely putting a hand or a foot wrong since replacing Howard between the sticks.
Lomana LuaLua, meanwhile, is pleading with Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp to restore him to the team against United, even if it is as a winger.
The £1.7m former Newcastle flyer has killed off suggestions he fell out with Redknapp over which position he should play by insisting: "I'm happy to play anywhere."
But he was left out of the squad altogether for Tuesday's Carling Cup win over Leeds after an indifferent performance two days earlier at Middlesbrough where he was taunted by Boro fans and police were obliged to investigate allegations that he made rude gestures to the crowd.
Former Manchester City midfielder Eyal Berkovic has been ruled out with the calf injury he sustained after scoring the penalty winner against Leeds.
"He might be out for while," said Redknapp who is also still missing Steve Stone, the man who scored the winner against United in April, with Achilles trouble. But David Unsworth has recovered from a calf strain and with Arjan de Zeeuw back following knee ligament damage, Redknapp faces tough choices in defence and may have to axe Andy Griffin.
Last season: Portsmouth 1 Manchester United 0
Key opponent: Yakubu. The Nigerian striker was recommended to Harry Redknapp by Fergie and has proved a shrewd acquistion, with his blistering pace able to pose problems for most defences. His radar for the goal, however, can sometimes go awry.
The United manager has to decide whether to recall Roy Keane, who missed Sunday's match with a virus infection, or stand by the younger of the Neville brothers, whose tenacious tackling helped to blunt Arsenal's lethal attack last weekend.
"The first thing to do is to make sure that Keane is fit to play against Portsmouth," Sir Alex said.
"It was a really severe virus infection that laid him low for more than a week.
"He has been back in training for the past couple of days but sometimes these sort of illnesses can leave you drained.
Options
"If Roy is fit it will give me a selection problem because I thought that, without attracting too much attention, Phil Neville did excellently against Arsenal."
Although several players, notably Paul Scholes, left the pitch nursing bumps and bruises on Sunday, Ferguson will have virtually a full squad at his disposal apart from the injured Quinton Fortune and the suspended Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Alan Smith and the fit-again Luis Saha, who both played in the midweek Carling Cup victory against Crewe, will be vying for the vacant striker's role alongside Wayne Rooney, with the all-action Smith likely to get the nod from boss Ferguson.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard reminded Sir Alex of his ability with a tip-top display at Gresty Road on Tuesday evening.
But the American will have to wait to reclaim his first-team spurs with the dependable Roy Carroll sure to keep his place after scarcely putting a hand or a foot wrong since replacing Howard between the sticks.
Lomana LuaLua, meanwhile, is pleading with Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp to restore him to the team against United, even if it is as a winger.
The £1.7m former Newcastle flyer has killed off suggestions he fell out with Redknapp over which position he should play by insisting: "I'm happy to play anywhere."
But he was left out of the squad altogether for Tuesday's Carling Cup win over Leeds after an indifferent performance two days earlier at Middlesbrough where he was taunted by Boro fans and police were obliged to investigate allegations that he made rude gestures to the crowd.
Former Manchester City midfielder Eyal Berkovic has been ruled out with the calf injury he sustained after scoring the penalty winner against Leeds.
"He might be out for while," said Redknapp who is also still missing Steve Stone, the man who scored the winner against United in April, with Achilles trouble. But David Unsworth has recovered from a calf strain and with Arjan de Zeeuw back following knee ligament damage, Redknapp faces tough choices in defence and may have to axe Andy Griffin.
Last season: Portsmouth 1 Manchester United 0
Key opponent: Yakubu. The Nigerian striker was recommended to Harry Redknapp by Fergie and has proved a shrewd acquistion, with his blistering pace able to pose problems for most defences. His radar for the goal, however, can sometimes go awry.
