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FC Copenhagen v Man Utd FC Copenhagen v Man Utd
(about 1 hour later)
Manchester United will be without Ryan Giggs, Louis Saha and Gary Neville for Wednesday's Champions League match against FC Copenhagen. Match report to follow later.
Neville has suffered a recurrence of a calf injury and will also miss the Premiership match against Portsmouth, with Wes Brown likely to deputise.
Giggs (hamstring) and Saha (knee) also miss out, but full-back Patrice Evra has shaken off an ankle injury.
Copenhagen will be without former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer
Get Man Utd news and scores from BBC Sport live to your mobileGet Man Utd news and scores from BBC Sport live to your mobile
United's teenage defender Kieran Lee, who scored United's extra-time Carling Cup winner against Crewe last week, is also included in the squad.
"We had a tough game at Bolton on Saturday and we have another Saturday match this week, which doesn't make it any easier for us in terms of the injury situation," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
"It's a blow not to have such experienced players but we've got a big squad.
"But we do have players like Wes Brown and Gabriel Heinze to come in so things are not so bad."
Copenhagen coach Stale Solbakken said he was worried about taking on the Premiership leaders with a less than full strength side.
"We're missing players who can spearhead the team up the pitch," he said.
Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Heinze, Silvestre, Lee, Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, O'Shea, Fletcher, Jones, Richardson, Rooney, Smith, Solskjaer.Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Heinze, Silvestre, Lee, Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, O'Shea, Fletcher, Jones, Richardson, Rooney, Smith, Solskjaer.
SCOUTING REPORT ON THE OPPOSITIONSCOUTING REPORT ON THE OPPOSITION
Who are they?: A 14-year-old club that has won five domestic titles in that time. FC Copenhagen are the third Danish club to reach the Champions League group stages, after Aalborg and Brondby, and the first this century.Who are they?: A 14-year-old club that has won five domestic titles in that time. FC Copenhagen are the third Danish club to reach the Champions League group stages, after Aalborg and Brondby, and the first this century.
Recent form: At present they top the Danish Superliga and have increased their lead from one point to three in the last fortnight with two wins and a draw. In five domestic matches in October they did not concede a goal, but are yet to score in the Champions League.Recent form: At present they top the Danish Superliga and have increased their lead from one point to three in the last fortnight with two wins and a draw. In five domestic matches in October they did not concede a goal, but are yet to score in the Champions League.
European record: Bits and pieces in the Cup Winners' Cup and the Uefa Cup before this, their first time through to the Champions League group stages.European record: Bits and pieces in the Cup Winners' Cup and the Uefa Cup before this, their first time through to the Champions League group stages.
How did they get here?: They won the league last season and then saw off Finnish side MyPa before beating Ajax 2-0 away to go through to the group stages 3-2 on aggregate.How did they get here?: They won the league last season and then saw off Finnish side MyPa before beating Ajax 2-0 away to go through to the group stages 3-2 on aggregate.
Ones to watch: Prior to this season only three of the Copenhagen squad had Champions League experience - former Chelsea midfielder Jesper Gronkjaer, Norwegian international defender Andre Bergdolmo and goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen. The stopper was on top form at Old Trafford and will need to be so again against Wayne Rooney and co.Ones to watch: Prior to this season only three of the Copenhagen squad had Champions League experience - former Chelsea midfielder Jesper Gronkjaer, Norwegian international defender Andre Bergdolmo and goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen. The stopper was on top form at Old Trafford and will need to be so again against Wayne Rooney and co.
Did you know?: They have struggled on the pitch in the Champions League, but off it Copenhagen have recorded a win against Uefa who banned them from selling beer brewed by their sponsors in their first home match in the tournament. Club officials said that local custom "required" beer consumption during games and, having forced them to sell non-alcoholic beer against Benfica, Uefa has relented.Did you know?: They have struggled on the pitch in the Champions League, but off it Copenhagen have recorded a win against Uefa who banned them from selling beer brewed by their sponsors in their first home match in the tournament. Club officials said that local custom "required" beer consumption during games and, having forced them to sell non-alcoholic beer against Benfica, Uefa has relented.
They say: "We've got a chance at home against all the teams. It'll be a good game against United and maybe Sir Alex can rest a couple of his star players for us!"Stale Solkbakken, FC Copenhagen coachThey say: "We've got a chance at home against all the teams. It'll be a good game against United and maybe Sir Alex can rest a couple of his star players for us!"Stale Solkbakken, FC Copenhagen coach
BIG MATCH STATSBIG MATCH STATS
Definitions of terms used:-Definitions of terms used:-
Champions League (CL) - only group phase matches and beyond of this competition which began in 1992-93. Champions Cup/Champions League - all matches played since it began in 1955-56 including qualification matches.European matches - all matches played in the major European tournaments (Fairs Cup, Uefa Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, Champions Cup, Champions League). Uefa Super Cups, Intertoto Cups and the old Intercontinental Cup competition are excluded.Champions League (CL) - only group phase matches and beyond of this competition which began in 1992-93. Champions Cup/Champions League - all matches played since it began in 1955-56 including qualification matches.European matches - all matches played in the major European tournaments (Fairs Cup, Uefa Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, Champions Cup, Champions League). Uefa Super Cups, Intertoto Cups and the old Intercontinental Cup competition are excluded.
QualificationQualification
If Manchester United win this match, they are guaranteed a place in the last 16. A draw will also be enough if Benfica and Celtic also draw in the other match in this group.If Manchester United win this match, they are guaranteed a place in the last 16. A draw will also be enough if Benfica and Celtic also draw in the other match in this group.
Head-to-headsHead-to-heads
Manchester United and FC Copenhagen met each other for the first time in the reverse fixture, United winning 3-0.Manchester United and FC Copenhagen met each other for the first time in the reverse fixture, United winning 3-0.
Copenhagen have hosted an English club before, losing 0-1 to Chelsea in the 1998-99 Cup Winners' Cup. The Red Devils have travelled to Denmark on one previous occasion, winning 2-6 at Brondby in 1998-99 - United's biggest away win in the Champions League and the only time that a club has scored six goals in an away match in the competition.Copenhagen have hosted an English club before, losing 0-1 to Chelsea in the 1998-99 Cup Winners' Cup. The Red Devils have travelled to Denmark on one previous occasion, winning 2-6 at Brondby in 1998-99 - United's biggest away win in the Champions League and the only time that a club has scored six goals in an away match in the competition.
European historyEuropean history
Copenhagen are making their debut in the Champions League. They reached the group stage this season on their fifth attempt.Copenhagen are making their debut in the Champions League. They reached the group stage this season on their fifth attempt.
Manchester United have won the Champions Cup/Champions League twice (1968, 1999), the Cup Winners' Cup once (1991), the European Super Cup (1991) and the Intercontinental Club Cup (1999). They are taking part in their 12th Champions League campaign.Manchester United have won the Champions Cup/Champions League twice (1968, 1999), the Cup Winners' Cup once (1991), the European Super Cup (1991) and the Intercontinental Club Cup (1999). They are taking part in their 12th Champions League campaign.
Current European formCurrent European form
FC Copenhagen have one point from their 0-0 draw with Benfica and share last place with the Portuguese club. They're yet to score a goal in the Champions League.FC Copenhagen have one point from their 0-0 draw with Benfica and share last place with the Portuguese club. They're yet to score a goal in the Champions League.
United lead Group F having won all three of their matches so far.United lead Group F having won all three of their matches so far.
Player and disciplinary infoPlayer and disciplinary info
Andre Bergdolmo is FC Copenhagen's most experienced player in the Champions League with 35 appearances.Andre Bergdolmo is FC Copenhagen's most experienced player in the Champions League with 35 appearances.
Gary Neville (94), Ryan Giggs (88) and Paul Scholes (87) are three players from the Manchester United squad who rank amongst the 10 players with most Champions League appearances.Gary Neville (94), Ryan Giggs (88) and Paul Scholes (87) are three players from the Manchester United squad who rank amongst the 10 players with most Champions League appearances.
Other miscellaneous factsOther miscellaneous facts
United manager Alex Ferguson has been in charge of 184 European matches in his career. His total is the second highest ever and he only trails Giovanni Trapattoni (196). Ferguson's Champions League total of 118 matches is a record for the competition. Ferguson will celebrate his 20th anniversary as Manchester United manager five days after this match.United manager Alex Ferguson has been in charge of 184 European matches in his career. His total is the second highest ever and he only trails Giovanni Trapattoni (196). Ferguson's Champions League total of 118 matches is a record for the competition. Ferguson will celebrate his 20th anniversary as Manchester United manager five days after this match.
United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Copenhagen coach Stale Solbakken were both in the Norway squads for the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, and Copenhagen's Jesper Gronkjær scored against United when he was playing for Chelsea in the Premiership.United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Copenhagen coach Stale Solbakken were both in the Norway squads for the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, and Copenhagen's Jesper Gronkjær scored against United when he was playing for Chelsea in the Premiership.
Big Match Stats source: Infostrada SportsBig Match Stats source: Infostrada Sports