Eight Reds braced for big night

As many as eight United players could be involved when the Euro 2008 campaign draws to a close on Wednesday night.

Owen Hargreaves has recovered from tendonitis and could pip Aston Villa's Gareth Barry to a midfield place if England coach Steve McClaren decides to play a 4-5-1 system. Wes Brown is also in the squad to face Croatia at Wembley but Rio Ferdinand is suspended. McClaren has invited the injured Wayne Rooney to Wembley to cheer on his England team mates who need just a draw to qualify for Euro 2008.

Two United players could be on opposite sides in Belgrade. Nemanja Vidic's Serbia need to beat Tomasz Kuszczak's Poland, who have already qualified, to keep their campaign alive. Serbia will then face Kazakhstan on Saturday in a rearranged game and if the result is still crucial, but it remains unclear whether Vidic will be allowed to play in the match as it would mean missing United’s away fixture at Bolton.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani could both play for Portugal when they take on Finland, seeking the point they need to reach the Euro 2008 finals.

The Netherlands and France have both already qualified but Edwin van der Sar is set to play again for the Dutch away at Belarus while Patrice Evra may be given an opportunity for France over the border in Ukraine.

In Group F, Northern Ireland have an outside chance of going through. They must win in Spain, without the suspended United defender Jonny Evans, and hope that Latvia win in Sweden.

Source: http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6%2D407E%2D44BC%2D800F%2D4A3110258114%7D&newsid=509142

EURO 2008 NEWS : Hargreaves, Fletcher

Hargreaves backed to take Barry's England role

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry is only keeping his England place warm for Manchester United's Owen Hargreaves, says former Three Lions star John Barnes.
Barnes said: "Gareth Barry has been England's most consistent player in the last three games, and so deserves to play against Russia, and I think he will be able to do that quite comfortably.

"But with all things being equal and everybody being fit, that role in the long term, I believe is Owen Hargreaves' role.
"Defensively against better opposition, he is probably better as a holding midfield player."


Shock return for Fletch


Darren Fletcher may make a surprise return from a fractured leg in Scotland's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Georgia on Wednesday after being called into the national squad.

The 23-year-old midfielder hasn’t played since fracturing his leg in Scotland’s monumental 1-0 win over France last month, but his return – in whatever capacity – would be a major boost for Scots boss Alex McLeish after the withdrawal of injury victims Scott Brown and Alan Hutton.

McLeish told Sky Sports News: "Sir Alex says Darren will play next weekend for Manchester United, therefore he can play for Scotland. It's fantastic news. Whether we start him, we'll have to wait and see, but he's got a big chance of playing.

"The Scots are tantalisingly close to qualification for next summer's finals, and McLeish is well aware of the need for strong characters in what is a tricky away tie. "Darren is a big player," he said. "He's a United player and they exude an aura. To be fair, though, the squad already has that aura because of the results and performances we've had recently."

Keane wants Man Utd pair on loan

Roy Keane aims to bring Manchester United defenders Jonny Evans and Danny Simpson back to Sunderland in the January transfer window.

Both enjoyed a successful spell last season as Keane guided the Black Cats back to the Premier League.

Keane said: "If I thought there was an opportunity to bring Jonny to Sunderland, we would consider it.

"He did brilliantly for the club before, as did Danny, and it would be nice if we thought they'd come back."

Simpson played 13 games in Sunderland's Championship-winning campaign and former Old Trafford hero Keane admitted: "It was a nightmare giving them back as they they'd settled in so well.

"But they were good professionals, hard trainers out on the pitch and ready to put everything in.

"Nothing happens until January anyway. But I know there will be a lot of teams ringing up United after Sir Alex (Ferguson) said the other week that there would be plenty going out on loan.

"His phone will be red hot at this moment in time and whether Jonny will still be there in January I really don't know, but it would be nice if we thought they'd come back."

Credit : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/7031633.stm