VALENCIA FEEL THE STRAIN
Coach Hector Cuper has eight players missing through either suspension or injury.
Gerard and David Albelda are both banned whilst Kily Gonzalez, Miguel Angulo, Santiago Canizares, Alain Roche, Denis Serban and Romanian striker Adrian Ilie are all injured which means that he will bring in reserve striker Juan Sanchez to play up-front alongside Argentinian Claudio Lopez who has been singled out by Sir Alex Ferguson as the main threat.
"Claudio Lopez is one of the fastest strikers in Europe and is a big danger, whilst Mendieta is also fabulous player." said Fergie.
Ferguson has the luxury of a virtually fully fit squad to pick from. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is challenging for a place in the forward line after he bagged four goals against Everton but Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke are likely to get the nod ahead of the Norwegian.
Mark Bosnich, Massimo Taibi and Mikael Silvestre are all unavailable for the game so Raimond Van Der Gouw starts in goal and Henning Berg will play alongside Jaap Stam at the heart of the defence.
Danish referee Kim Nielsen will take charge of tonight`s game and it will be the first time he has refereed David Beckham since he sent off the England ace in France 98. PROBABLE TEAMS MANCHESTER UNITED: Van Der Gouw, Neville G, Stam, Berg, Irwin, Scholes, Beckham, Giggs, Keane, Yorke, Cole. VALENCIA: Palop, Angloma, Djukic, Pellegrino, Bjorklund, Carboni, Mendieta, Milla, Farinos, Claudio Lopez, Juan Sanchez.
