One option open to the United boss is to move David Beckham into a more central position alongside Roy Keane and bring in youngster Luke Chadwick on the right.

Fabian Barthez will return in goal after missing the Cup tie because of flu and there could also be changes up front with Teddy Sheringham ready for his first start since early December after another run-out in midweek.

Sheringham scored last week's winner at Fulham after coming on as substitute and looks favourite to line up alongside either Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Dwight Yorke.

Andy Cole and Jaap Stam both came through a specially arranged behind-closed-doors friendly in midweek and could be in contention.

Meanwhile, Bradford outcast Benito Carbone is not even guaranteed a place on the bench.

Carbone is up for sale along with Stan Collymore while Dan Petrescu has signed for Southampton, but boss Jim Jefferies is undecided as to what role the Italian striker will play.

Jefferies is confident midfielder Billy McKinlay will be fit despite picking up a knock in training.

Team (from): Walsh, Nolan, McCall, Lawrence, Blake, Ward, Carbone, Beagrie, Molenaar, O'Brien, Windass, Sharpe, Rankin, Atherton, Saunders, Jacobs, Jess, McKinlay, Davison.

Team (from): Barthez, van der Gouw, P Neville, G Neville, Brown, Irwin, Silvestre, Stam, Beckham, Keane, Butt, Giggs, Sheringham, Solskjaer, Yorke, Wallwork, Chadwick, Greening, Cole.