It could be a moment of brilliance, or a fluke, or a refereeing decision. It's that close." Ferguson's place in history may depend upon it.. Given his lack of midfielders, one change Ferguson may make is to withdraw Teddy Sheringham and play both Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in attack. Gary Neville is expected to captain the side, for the first time, from right-back.Monaco will be without midfielder Sylvain Legwinski, injured in their weekend defeat to Auxerre, and have a doubt over Victor Ikpeba but John Collins will play after a foot injection."It's so finely balanced it could go to extra time and one goal may well be enough," Ferguson said "The match will probably turn on one moment. This, at least, should give Sheringham more space than he managed in the first leg and Cole greater support. In the 13 matches - not including Walsall - since the 5-3 win at Chelsea on 4 January Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have scored four goals between them.Though Cole, in particular, has missed some good chances this is not entirely their fault, the service has been poor with the team disrupted by first Ferguson's rotation policy then injury.Now Ferguson must lift his players, after one win in six matches, and devise, with Brian Kidd, the tactics to outwit Jean Tigana. He gives us penetration and he's now maturing into a truly wonderful player, no question about that.
Ryan gives us the qualities which are so important if you're going to win big matches.''Without Giggs United are notably diminished as an attacking force - in the six matches he has missed since injuring a hamstring they have scored just four goals.Not that they were banging them in beforehand. Aside from the home 5- 1 FA Cup demolition of Second Division Walsall United had scored eight goals in the previous seven games, half from Giggs. If not the question is whether to start with him."The balance of the team is better with him. "Ryan trained this morning and did quite well," said Ferguson at Old Trafford yesterday "We'll have to wait and see if there's a reaction.
Most of these injuries are down to fatigue, it is one of the prices you pay for being at the top and playing so many games.''Giggs was destined to start on the bench but now, it would seem, he may be risked from the start. The most serious is to Peter Schmeichel but long-term injury victim Roy Keane is also out along with Gary Pallister. Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Ronny Johnsen and Ryan Giggs are doubtful."Over the last few months we have been travelling around the world," said Phil Neville, "and it catches up on you. An away goal is always more valuable than a home score and Monaco's counter-attacking abilities make them potentially more dangerous on their travels than on the Cote D'Azur.The French champions are also strengthened by the return of prolific striker David Trezeguet whereas United are handicapped by injury. The "job done''satisfaction of a fortnight ago in Monte Carlo has been replaced by a looming fear that, as in 1995, they could end a season full of promise with nothing. The goalless draw at the Stade Louis II, while creditable, has not necessarily earned United a significant advantage. There is clearly still a crisis at the Black and White House..
