BUTT BACK FOR BRUSSELS BATTLE
United travel to Belgium heading Group G with seven points and on the back of three-goal wins over Leicester, PSV Eindhoven and Leeds United.
However, influential captain Roy Keane misses out after picking up a hamstring injury in the Roses clash, and in-form striker Teddy Sheringham has a calf problem, although Ronny Johnsen is expected to recover from an ankle injury in time for the game.
"I got a knock on my ankle against Leeds but I am back in full training," said Johnsen. "I am fit for the fight. I hope we can win so that we avoid the pressure of having to win the final game."
Ryan Giggs takes over the captaincy, and Butt comes into the midfield with encouraging words from manager Sir Alex Ferguson ringing in his ears.
"We will miss Roy but Nicky would have played anyway," said Ferguson. "He is tremendously dedicated to Manchester United and is now approaching what should be his peak years.
"Nicky is not always chosen but that hasn't affected him too much because he has always shared in the big moments at the club.
"It is nice to be able to give him a game like this because he has had a marvellous season for us and I know he will give 100% for us. It has been killing me to leave him out."
Andy Cole, who scored a hat-trick in the 5-1 return at Old Trafford, could be in line for a place in attack after being rested for the Leeds game, although Ferguson is likely to stick with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Dwight Yorke up front.
Ferguson admitted that he is not expecting and easy ride, despite the convincing scoreline in the first game.
"They are a good side," he continued. "I thought they did okay at Old Trafford wgere the quality of their finishing was good. We will be going out to finish them but it's going to be a tough competitive match.
"Over the years we have played a lot of big games, against the likes of Juventus, Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid but, if you go back through the history books, Anderlecht have a pretty formidable record too.
"They have some talented players, particularly Alin Stoica, and when we beat them earlier on, the scoreline didn't accurately reflect the game.
"To come back from a goal down against Kiev last week and score four in the first half is a testament to their ability and this will not be an easy game."
The Belgians are waiting on fitness checks on star man Alin Stoica and Didier Dheedene, both knee ligaments, but striker Tomasz Radzinski is expected to play after recovering from the 'flu.
Coach Aime Anthuenis is hoping that playing in front of 22,000 people will prevent the players putting in a 'soft' performance, as happened at Old Trafford.
"We were too soft," he said. "We played in front of 60,000 people and were intimidated. With our own fans behind us, hopefully it will be different.
"If we are to finish in the top two, then we have to win, but a point would be a good result for us.
"I watched Manchester United against Leicester and thought 'that is modern football'. They have a mixture of individual skill and fantastic team work.
"David Beckham is far more relaxed and in control than he has been before, but they have other dangerous players too.
"We want to go forward and if we can I am sure we will score goals but Manchester United might not let us do that. They may make us defend en masse."
Probable Teams:
Anderlecht: De Wilde, Vanderhaeghe, De Boeck, Staelens, Goor, Koller, Dheedene, Baseggio, Radzinski, Crasson, Stoica.
Manchester United: Barthez, Irwin, G Neville, Johnsen, Silvestre, Beckham, Butt, Scholes, Giggs, Yorke, Solskjaer.
Referee: Stefano Braschi (Italy)
