Man United v Besiktas preview

Ferguson: To make changes

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Manchester United host Besiktas in their final home game of the UEFA Champions League group stage, already assured of their place in the next phase.

As expected, United have dominated proceedings in Group B and qualified for the knockout section with two games to spare.

Despite already being through Sir Alex Ferguson will want his side to maintain their proud record in the group stage - having not lost at Old Trafford for eight years.

Ferguson is likely to experiment with his side, and Besiktas will look to captiliase on this - although nothing more than a victory is needed from the Turks, if they want to maintain their presence in Europe into the New Year.

Ferguson is insistent that he will not let his charges take their foot of the gas.

"We could have a non-event game if we wanted to," he said. "But that is not the way we want it to be."

"We want an exciting game and we will do our best to challenge the young players who do play."

Besiktas boss Mustafa Denzili is hopeful his side can give United another good game, as they did in their first meeting in Istanbul.

"We will go out with our own game plan, but our future is not just in our hands," he said.

"It all depends on how we do and what other teams do too. Our aim is to always go as far as possible in Europe. United's approach is that they want to win every game regardless of the position they're in.

"They may have already qualified but they'll want to win, because that's what United always strive to do."

Team news

As part of his tinkering, Ferguson has already confirmed that Irish youngster Darron Gibson will start in midfield.

The 22-year-old is on the fringes of the first team at the moment and Ferguson is obviously keen for him to progress.

Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and John O'Shea are all sidelined - so Wes Brown should be expected to start alongside Nemanja Vidic in central defence.

The likes of Danny Welbeck, Federico Macheda and Gabriel Obertan will all be hoping to be involved from the start - but they all may have to make do with starting from the bench.

Besiktas are likely to go with Brazilian Bobo in attack, whilst Rustu Recber could also be recalled in goal.

Ismail Koybasi and Nihat Kahveci are struggling with injury, but Filip Holoslo, Hakan Arkan and Mert Nobre are out along with the suspended Tomas Sivok.