Manchester United to make wholesale changes for Schalke game, according to Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson intends to make several changes to his Manchester United side for the Champions League semi-final against Schalke.
Changing man: Alex Ferguson will make several changes to his Manchester United side ahead of their game against Schalke 04. Photo: REUTERS
By Telegraph staff and agencies 11:33AM BST 02 May 2011
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United are looking to seal a Champions League final spot ahead of their Premier League match with Chelsea next weekend and Ferguson has a selection quandry following Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.
With their lead over nearest challengers Chelsea cut to three points, United cannot afford to lose against Carlo Ancelotti's team at Old Trafford.
However, they also have to defend a two-goal lead against Schalke on Wednesday night to book a meeting with Barcelona or Real Madrid at Wembley on May 28 and Ferguson has already decided he must bring in some fresh faces in midweek.
"I will make some changes on Wednesday without question," said Ferguson. "I will bring Paul Scholes back in, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen.
"We'll need to do that but I will probably keep my experienced players at the back.
"We have a big week ahead. Wednesday is a European semi-final second leg and then the game on Sunday.
"Two massive games, so we will regroup and freshen it up."
They will do so with Ferguson fearful of the possibility that key decisions could seriously affect United's hope of clinching a record 19th championship.
Less than 24 hours after Chelsea profited from two errors by match officials to record a 2-1 win over Tottenham, Ferguson felt his own side were denied the chance of a point at the Emirates when referee Chris Foy failed to spot Gael Clichy's foul on Michael Owen.
Coming a couple of months after Ferguson was furious at pivotal decisions that went against United in a Premier League defeat at Chelsea, and the Scot still believing the Red Devils were on the wrong end of key calls in both matches between the two sides last term, he is worried about history repeating itself.
"It's too big a game not to get the decisions right," he said. "Clichy knew. He put his hands up in horror.
"Obviously, it gives Chelsea a major chance now. That's what happens when you get these decisions.
"They got one at Old Trafford last season so that's the worry now."
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