Fergie to make changes

United boss expected to make changes for final showdown

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 19th December 2008

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Manchester United will look to become the first English team to win the Club World Cup when they face South American champions Liga de Quito on Sunday.

United booked their place in the final after a comfortable 5-3 win over J-League side Gamba Osaka on Thursday while their Ecuadorian opponents defeated Mexican side Pachuca 2-0 in their semi-final.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to make changes to the side that won on Thursday in a bid to try and give his whole squad game time.

Wayne Rooney could be in line for a start after scoring twice from the bench against Osaka. The England striker was sidelined as a precaution after he picked up a knock in training.

Fellow striker Dimitar Berbatov is a doubt after missing the semi-final with a virus and looks unlikely to have recovered in time.

Young Brazilian full-back Rafael may come in for skipper Gary Neville while Darren Fletcher could be pushing for a start after coming off the bench to head home United's fourth goal against their Japanese opponents.

United ace Cristiano Ronaldo is expecting a tough test on Sunday.

"Any final is always difficult but you expect an even tougher game when you meet the champions of South America, it's going to be a good game and I hope we win," he said.

Osaka team news

Liga de Quito are the first Ecuadorian side to participate in the tournament and qualified after winning the Copa Libertadores.

The underdogs have no injury concerns ahead of the game and their Argentinean manager Edgardo Bauza, who has announced he will step down after the tournament, is looking forward to the clash.

"We are now in the final which means we are among the top two clubs in the world," he said.

"It is a great honour but we are not satisfied we want to do better, we want to be kings of the world."