With a Champions League Last 16 place already secured for the Reds, Sir Alex Ferguson says there is much less pressure on his injury-hit squad and the young players drafted in as cover.

United take on Wolfsburg in the Volkswagen Arena on Tuesday night with Group B’s top spot up for grabs, but Sir Alex says he cannot see a clear advantage in finishing first and so has turned his attentions to preserving his side for the busy Christmas league programme.

“Wolfsburg will be delighted that we have so many injuries because it’s a big game for them,” the boss in Germany on Monday. “My main concern is getting players back from injury. I have to look at the bigger picture and that means looking to Saturday [against Aston Villa] and future league games.”

It goes without saying that the United players will be doing their utmost to win in Germany, but the quality and unpredictably of this year’s European tournament means that finishing second is much less of a stumbling block than it might be in other years.

“We’ve qualified for the Last 16, and looking at the groups I’m not sure whether first or second really matters,” said the boss. “So that is a major boost to us. If we are second, I don’t know if it does matter.

“In one group you’ve potentially got AC Milan or Real Madrid, in another you’ve got Barcelona, Inter Milan and Rubin Kazan, another you have Fiorentina and Lyon, or Bordeaux, Bayern and Juventus. You get one of those teams and it doesn’t really matter. They’re all of a similar quality - very good teams.

“The only advantage you’re giving away by finishing second is playing the home game first in the knockout round.”

United are facing an injury crisis of epic proportions, and not just in defence, with Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov joining an ever-increasing list of players on the treatment table.

There was a further blow to the Reds' rearguard with news that John O'Shea and Jonny Evans will both be out until the New Year.

Sir Alex took a depleted Reds squad to Germany for United's final Group B game with Wolfsburg - a 19-man group containing 13 midfielders.

The United boss first faces a headache trying to select a team to tackle the German champions, but also has an eye on an ever more tricky league tie with Aston Villa on Saturday.

United hope Wes Brown (hamstring) and Nemanja Vidic (flu) will replenish the Reds' decimated defence. But the injury problems don't stop there. Neither Rooney (hamstring) nor Berbatov (knee) travelled to Germany and both men are doubtful to play against Villa.

“There’s no good news with all these injured players," the boss said at his pre-Wolfsburg press conference on Monday. "We've left several players behind and have a lot of thinking to do about team selection."

Patrice Evra is the only fit and recognised defender in the team out in Germany, and Sir Alex at least isn't letting the situation get him down too much. “It’s worth trying one defender!" he joked. "Manchester United are always first at doing something, so we will try and do that again on Tuesday by playing with just one defender!

"We know we have a difficult task picking a back four that can unite together and give me good organisation and good passing ability considering we don’t have natural centre-backs. These are the decisions we are addressing, and hopefully we get the answer."

With United already through to the next round of the Champions League, domestic matters take precedence. But the picture is no less bleak on that front.

"As we've explained with Rio Ferdinand, we don't have a time schedule for him, and John O'Shea and Jonny Evans are both out until January. They’re out for a few weeks, and they're the major injuries as it stands.

"Rafael and Fabio will certainly not [feature against Villa]. We're hoping that we can have Wes Brown fit for Saturday. But it's a  strain and it won't be an easy one."

There was some good news in that Ryan Giggs, also missing from the group that travelled to Wolfsburg, will be fit for Saturday. But the news regarding Berbatov and Rooney is less positive.

"We left Ryan behind because we’ve been playing him in one game a week and that has worked for us. He is fit for Saturday, but Berbatov and Rooney are both doubtful."

What the hell.

We have an amazing entire 11 including subs out with injury! MADNESS!

John O'Shea (thigh), Jonny Evans (calf), Nemanja Vidic (flu), Rio Ferdinand (calf), Wes Brown (hamstring), Gary Neville (groin), Rafael (shoulder) and Fabio da Silva (groin)

Alien, no delay telecast for our game?

(D)UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2009/10

Channel:  ESPN (812)
Date:  Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Time:  7:30:00 AM
Synopsis:
Group Phase, Matchday 6 - Wolfsburg vs. Manchester United

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2009/10

Channel:  ESPN (812)
Date:  Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Time:  3:30:00 PM
Synopsis:
Wolfsburg vs. Manchester United

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2009/10

Channel:  ESPN (812)
Date:  Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Time:  11:30:00 PM
Synopsis:
Wolfsburg vs. Manchester United

Can't imagine the lineup for tonight

Time for a 3-6-1?

I can imagine the line up will look like this

Time to tell Evra "Patrice, since we are short of defenders so what we will do is you will be the only one there while we go all out attack!" 

Now if Evra gets injured (PEGANG KAYU)

Then omg. Who the hell do we have left.

Choi!
You will be banned from MUST if that happen. 

To me , the remaining PL matches in December are more important
12 Dec Villa (H)
15 Dec Wolves (h)
19 Dec Fulham (a)
27 Dec Hull (a)
30 Dec Wigan (H)

The tricky games are Villa and Fulham.  We need at least JOS, Vidic, Brown to be fit during this duration.

that is what concern me now. Evra aerial ability are not very good. now he face Dzeko and Graffite. not good. Kuszczak must play as CB. 

Phil Thompson  Posted 7th December 2009

Manchester United have nothing short of a defensive crisis on their hands. Sir Alex Ferguson has said as much and his options for Tuesday's Champions League clash at Wolfsburg look extremely limited.

Normally you can get away with losing one or two players but Patrice Evra is the only recognised first-team defender left in the frame so Plan A has gone well out of the window.

Michael Carrick did very, very well as a central defender against West Ham on Saturday but it will be tough to start a match of this significance at the back even for a player as experienced as him.

When you get thrown into the deep end as he did at the weekend it can be easier to survive but he's had time to think about playing in defence now and he'll fully understand the size of the task that awaits him.

Makeshift

Manchester United want to finish top of the group and a draw will be good enough to achieve that but their opponents can still jump ahead if they win and CSKA fail to beat Besiktas in Istanbul.

Wolfsburg played very well at Old Trafford in September even if they did lose 2-1 and United are probably ruing that so many injuries have come at what is now a critical stage of affairs.

They know their makeshift back four is going to have to repel wave and wave of attacks from Wolfsburg, who are unbeaten at home in this season's competition so United's 14-match unbeaten away run in the Champions League (discounting last season's final) will be under serious threat.

Nemanja Vidic's bout of flu must be extremely bad for him to miss this game with Gary Neville and Wes Brown joining Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and John O'Shea on the sidelines.

Tough

Sir Alex will have to draw on his huge motivational skills to gee up individuals and make sure everyone helps out at the back.

Wayne Rooney would definitely do his bit but he, like Dimitar Berbatov, hasn't travelled so it gives Michael Owen and Danny Welbeck a possible window of opportunity.

It's going to be fascinating to find out just how good United's squad is. Everyone has flagged up how good Chelsea's is and we know Arsenal have got a lot of good youngsters coming through.

Sir Alex came out recently and said this is as good a group of youngsters as he's had in many a year - the Welbecks, the Machedas and the Gibsons.

Darron Gibson is certainly doing himself no harm at the moment but he and the others coming through are really going to have to come to the fore on Tuesday to get a result.

In contrast, Michael Owen has got nothing to prove to anybody but he is going to have to come in, perform and help a lot of the youngsters on what looks like it will be a tough night.

14:03 Across the way from my room is MUTV's Stewart Gardner. On the plane over we attempted to pick a potential team for Tuesday night. Neither back four makes for comfortable reading with Wolfsburg's threat in attack, but here's what we came up with:

SG (4-3-3): Kuszczak; Fletcher, Carrick, Evra, Park; Gibson, Scholes, Anderson; Valencia, Owen, Nani.

BH (4-4-2): Kuszczak; Gibson, Fletcher, Carrick, Evra; Valencia, Anderson, Scholes, Park; Welbeck, Owen

Paul Scholes is the type of player – cool and calm on the ball when under pressure – that you want in situations like on Tuesday. The Reds are down to the bare bones of the squad, but the Salford schemer naturally takes it all in his stride.

United only have one fit defender – Patrice Evra – here in Wolfsburg for the final Champions League Group B game which will decide who will go through as group section winners.

It takes a lot to fluster Scholesy, and he meets this latest hurdle with a typically effortless shrug.

“I don’t think it [the injuries] changes the way the team will play,” he told reporters on Monday.

“We always play the same way. Sometimes you have to play in a different position, one you’re not used to. But we have talented players capable of playing anywhere.”

That doesn’t hide the fact that, in attack at the very least, Wolfsburg are a very proficient team and will need no invitation to try and snatch first place in the group from United’s grasp.

“I thought Wolfsburg played very well at Old Trafford. They keep the ball well,” added Scholesy, point out the German champions’ strengths.

“We’ve watched a lot of videos of them playing and they seem to have a traditional English style of play – they like to cross the ball into the box and they have two good centre-forwards who are dangerous in the air.

“Their two forwards, Edin Dzeko and Grafite, are their most dangerous players.

"They are part of the reason why Wolfsburg score a lot of goals, but they also concede a lot as well.”

It all makes for an intriguing, and potential high-scoring, game on Tuesday at the tight and compact Volkswagen Arena.

The travelling party which left Manchester Airport for Wolfsburg on Monday morning contained a handful of faces unfamiliar to most United fans, Reserves and Academy devotees apart. So, who are the not-so-famous five who could feature against the Bundesliga champions?

Name: Magnus Eikrem
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Main attributes: Dead ball specialist, terrific eye for a killer pass
First team experience: Magnus has been on the first team bench this term, against Wolves in the Carling Cup, but is yet to make it onto the field.
His season so far: The Norwegian's first team call-up was the reward for an excellent campaign in the Reserves so far. Shifted from right-wing to the centre of midfield, Magnus’ playmaking skills have been given the perfect platform, despite his slight frame. And, whether providing or going for goal himself, his set plays are deadly accurate.

Name: Oliver Gill
Age: 19
Position: Defender
Main attributes: Excellent, calm reader of the game and, crucially, free of injury!
First team experience: Gill has taken part in a series of training sessions with the senior squad in recent weeks.
His season so far: In his first year as a pro, Oliver has emerged as an assured, composed defender comfortable in the centre or on the left flank. A regular for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reserves and a key member of a defence which has leaked just six goals in 12 games this term.

Name: Matty James
Age: 18
Position: Midfielder
Main attributes: Engine, two-footed shooting and playmaking
First team experience: Matty was an unused substitute in last season’s Premier League finale at Hull, and again in this season’s Carling Cup win at Barnsley.
His season so far: Having excelled for the Reserves last term, James’ 2009/10 domestic campaign has been punctuated by international call-ups, including a captain’s role in England’s ill-fated U19 World Cup campaign. His knack of retaining possession and picking the right pass has been invaluable for the second string, and he is always liable to chip in with the odd scorching goal from distance.

Name: Oliver Norwood
Age: 18
Position: Midfielder
Main attributes: Passing, shooting, set-pieces
First team experience: Ollie is yet to sample first team football at United, but has trained with Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad in recent weeks.
His season so far: Another who has stepped up impressively from the under-18s to the Reserves this term. Norwood’s ferocious shooting always catches the eye – he is widely regarded as the possessor of the most powerful shot in the club’s youth ranks – and his eye for a pass is exquisite. International recognition has been forthcoming, with Ollie making a seamless transition to Northern Ireland under-21s duty.

Name: Cameron Stewart
Age: 18
Position: Winger
Main attributes: Trickery and searing pace
First team experience: Another who has enjoyed rubbing shoulders with the senior side in training.
His season so far: A dangerous winger on either flank, the rapid youngster has been a potent supply line for the Reserves this term. He also tried his hand as a striker in the Reds' recent 2-1 win over Hull, drawing special praise from Solskjaer for his flexibility and rapid assimilation to the role.

United's youngsters slotted in seamlessly at training on Monday, while Darren Fletcher emerged as potential skipper at the Volkswagen Arena (click the main image for a gallery)...

At Manchester Airport, United's young squad caused quite a stir. The journalists assembled by the check-in desk stood bemused doing their squad head-count, repeatedly asking, 'Who's that?!' as several new faces walked past in club blazer and tie.

For Magnus Eikrem, Matty James, Oliver Gill, Oliver Norwood and Cameron Stewart this is the opportunity of a lifetime. All five could be on the bench on Tuesday night at the Volkswagen Arena.

So training at Wolfsburg stadium on Monday was a good preview for the big occasion tonight, and the young lads looked completely at home alongside the likes of Paul Scholes, Michael Owen and co.

One though that struck me was the question of who will be captain. Scholes is the most senior professional, but he doesn't like the spotlight and you could see him gladly surrendering the captain's armband in favour of a more willing taker.

Personally, I think it should go to Darren Fletcher. And watching training on Monday only re-enforced that opinion because he was very vocal in training, encouraging the young players at every turn.

I've long been an advocate for Fletcher to be the next long-term appointment for the role of skipper. He's the complete professional, has a relentless desire to succeed and improve, and he knows what it means to come through the ranks and make it in the first-team. He's trodden the path that the young players in the squad are themselves attempting to go down now.

Manchester United could make special arrangements for midfielder Park Ji-sung to travel back to England after international duty in South Korea.

Park has made only two Premier League starts this season after a knee injury saw him sidelined for two months.

And United are concerned that the 28-year-old's knee swells up after long flights back from Asia.

"We are thinking of organising his return trips differently," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Park has had a succession of injuries which have derailed him but all the problems arise out of him coming back from South Korea after he has played internationals.

"We have had meetings with the South Korean physio department in terms of trying to get to the bottom of the problem because he always comes back with some swelling in his knee."

Park, a regular in United's 2008-09 winning Premier League season, joined United from PSV Eindhoven for £4m in 2005 and signed a new two-year contract extension in September.

He is currently fit and is included in the squad to play Wolfsburg in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

"We think he is a fantastic player," added Ferguson. "He is very important to Manchester United and now that he is fit he will figure."

Wolfsburg striker Grafite admits his side are desperate to prove a point against Manchester United on Tuesday night.

The Bundesliga champions take on the Premier League champions in the UEFA Champions League at the Volkswagen Arena with United triumphing 2-1 at Old Trafford earlier in the competition.

One point will be enough for the Red Devils to finish top of Group B although Wolfsburg could overtake them with a win, but the Germans could potentially miss out on second spot to Russian side CSKA Moscow.

Grafite, who returns to European action after a two-match suspension, is determined to help his team qualify for the knockout stages of the competition and believes Wolfsburg were unlucky to come away with nothing in their last game against United.

"I return to the Champions League after the punishment and I want to score a goal against United," he told skysports.com.

"We left Old Trafford with an unhappy face because we deserved at least one point.

"In this group we have deserved more points and the qualification for the following round. We are motivated by this and by the enormous importance for our club.

"For Wolfsburg to qualify from the first phase in our debut in this competition is an incredible success."

United have been hit by a number of injuries and are without 15 players for the game, Patrice Evra being the only recognised senior defender.

However, Grafite is playing down Sir Alex Ferguson's injury problems and says it will still be a massive test.

"They suffer some injuries but that is not too significant - Man Utd possesses a sensational squad and all players are dangerous and able to win in any venue," he added.

"Always United are a dangerous squad and I do not believe they arrived for a holiday in Germany. Wolfsburg need to play very well to get the victory.

"Their midfield and attack is sensational. With the substitutes they have Man Utd never offer a chance to their rivals."

Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to his players after his makeshift line-up won impressively in Wolfsburg.

The United boss opted for a back three of Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Patrice Evra, with the latter being the only recognised defender in the starting eleven. Apart from conceding an equaliser to the hosts early in the second half, that trio - and the team at large - held firm to give Michael Owen the platform for a match-winning hat-trick.

The 3-1 win sealed top spot in Champions League Group B for the Reds and vindicated Sir Alex's faith in a new formation.

“It was an experimental system, but the good thing is there was (still) enough quality there," the United manager said.

"You have to trust that the players are good at their job. They are, and they’ve proved it again tonight.

“I thought our control in the first half was very good. It was the same in the second half but our threat towards the end and our speed in the counter attack was very pleasing.”

Sir Alex admitted to having concerns before the match, with so many senior members of his squad - especially defenders - unavailable through injury. The versatility of several players was therefore key to United winning in difficult circumstances.

“The players have applied themselves and that’s important in a game like this," said Sir Alex.

"Darren Fletcher, for example, plays all over the place. If you’ve got players like that who can adapt into a different system then it’s never a big problem.

The United boss also paid tribute to Owen's predatory instincts, following his clinical three goals.

“It was a fantastic hat-trick. You know how good he is in that penalty box. He’s on the shoulder, he makes runs across defenders, and his timing with his runs is fantastic. I’m really pleased for him.”

The Reds can now look forward to the last-16 draw on December 18, knowing that the second leg will be at home - a reward for finishing top of the group.

“It doesn’t matter who we play at Old Trafford, we always feel we have a chance," said Sir Alex. "And our away record over the last three years has been fantastic, so hopefully that helps us too.

“I think we’ll have to face a big team at some point, last year we had Inter Milan in the last 16 when they were top of Serie A. You take who you get and you have to trust the quality of your own players and the experience they’ve gathered over the years. They’re young but they’re a good team."

Hat-trick hero Michael Owen saluted his team-mates following United's fine victory over Wolfsburg.

The deadly striker put the Reds in front just before the interval, and then grabbed two more in the final ten minutes to secure top spot in Champions League Group B for the thrice European champions.

It was Owen's second three-goal haul in Germany, having fired England to a 5-1 win in Munich back in 2001. But while he was clearly delighted with this individual feat, the Reds' number seven was keen to share the plaudits with his colleagues.

Owen said: “Obviously I’ve scored a few hat-tricks in my time but it’s nice to get one that caps off a great team display. Me getting the three goals will probably grab the headlines but I thought it was an excellent team performance tonight.

"I was playing a bit deeper than normal because with us having so many players out we had to protect our back three," he added, explaining how the reshuffling of the side affected him.

"Me and Danny (Welbeck) were dropping in and trying to pick up their central midfielders where possible, while hopefully getting into the Wolfsburg box when there were chances to do so.

“European football is a different type of football to the domestic game. If you get one chance you’ve got to stick it away and thankfully we nicked a goal just before half-time.”

Owen and United are now looking forward to further European adventures in the New Year, following the draw for the knock-out rounds on December 18.

“It’s great being top of the league so we play at home second (in the next round)," said Owen.

"I’m not going to lie, you want as weak a side as possible (in the draw). I don’t know the other results tonight, and there are more to come tomorrow, but you want to avoid the big boys.”

Finally, after earning the match ball, Owen assured us that it was in safe hands.

“I’ve given it to the masseur, I get a bit shy when I’m holding it as it draws attention to me! Hopefully he’ll get it signed by the lads and then pop it in my bag when we get back to Manchester.”

Ferguson does expect strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Rooney to be fit for Saturday's encounter with Aston Villa along with Ryan Giggs, the only member of the 14 to be rested. Crucially, Nemanja Vidic has recovered from the flu virus that kept him at home.

"Our defence will be Fletcher, Carrick, Vidic and Evra,'' confirmed Ferguson, his statement suggesting that Wes Brown will not have recovered from a hamstring injury as he had hoped. If Wolfsburg had gone in front it would have made it very difficult for us,'' said Ferguson.

Nani was playing!? I only noticed Obertan's awesomeness.

Nemanja Vidic is expected to return to Manchester United's injury-ravaged defence for Saturday's Premier League meeting with Aston Villa.

Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to employ a back four of Patrice Evra, Park Ji-sung, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher against Wolfsburg in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.

Ferguson was missing 14 senior men for the clash in Germany, eight of them defenders, with his midfield trio forced to drop back to play alongside captain for the night Evra.

The hat-trick heroics of Michael Owen fired United to a 3-1 success and top spot in Group B as the makeshift backline performed well.

Serbia international Vidic has now recovered from the illness which kept him out of the victories over Wolfsburg and West Ham and will slot back in against Villa.

"I expect Vidic to be fit and if he is available we would have him and Michael Carrick, plus Darren Fletcher and Patrice Evra," Ferguson said.

"I would be happy enough with that."

System

Ferguson also expects to have Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov available to face Martin O'Neill's men, who have once again moved to the fringes of a top-four place.

That might mean a quick relegation back to the substitutes' bench for Owen, who marked a rare start by converting his first Champions League treble since 2003.

Ferguson is delighted with the contribution of his free transfer summer signing and admitted United's regular formation goes some way to explaining his lack of starts.

He added: "I made the point some weeks ago that his training performances have improved steadily. I have had no worries about him.

"Obviously in some games recently we have only played with one striker and Wayne Rooney has been it. Here we used a different system."

Fergie turned Ronaldo from a Fancy footworks player to a Fancy+Effective player

Taught him how to make use of his talent. This is what we gonna do with Obertan.

Obertan already look very promising despite at this age and still new to the EPL.

With or without our regular CBs, it would still be a problem, although obviously without them we'll be tested far more than we have so far in the previous two games. I thought the game was fairly comfortable. You would think with us having only Evra back there as the recognized defender, they would bombard us with aerial balls and attack our defenders constantly, but that didn't happen, except a few times in the 2nd half which resulted in them getting that goal.

It doesn't matter if he deserve to start more than the others. Evans propbably deserve to start more than half of our wingers, but usually he doesn't whenever Rio and Vida is fit. It's all about whatever the positions they play and the tactics etc. We started with two strikers. Berba and Rooney left behind, Macheda injured, what's left is Owen and Welbeck. No place for Obotak there, no matter how impressive he's been. 2nd thing is that we play with a back 3, so the wingers needed to be disciplined to track back the wingers. Park being better defensively, of course he starts. Obotak's direct competition on the night is between Nani who need the games, while Valencia is our safety net laying around. Nani being the more experienced and senior player was preferred, plus Obotak's defensively ain't that good. Doesn't track back much.

---

Added on December 9, 2009, 6:41 pmHmm, now Liverpool want to go through the back door, [b]again[/], because CSKA doping charges?

banned?why?

CSKA Moscow could be thrown out of the Champions League after players Aleksei Berezutsky and Sergei Ignashevich tested positive for a banned substance

Finally, after earning the match ball, Owen assured us that it was in safe hands.

“I’ve given it to the masseur, I get a bit shy when I’m holding it as it draws attention to me! Hopefully he’ll get it signed by the lads and then pop it in my bag when we get back to Manchester.”

Sir Alex Ferguson should be able to call on the services of four first-team regulars for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Aston Villa as the Reds' injury crisis begins to ease.

Wayne Rooney (hamstring), Dimitar Berbatov (knee), Nemanja Vidic (flu) and the rested Ryan Giggs all missed the trip to Wolfsburg, but are expected to return to action against Martin O'Neill's side at Old Trafford.

The boss may still be forced to field another makeshift back four, but with some of his big guns back in attack he's confident in his side's ability to cope against Villa.

"We expect Vidic to be ready for Saturday. Ryan is fit and I also think Rooney and Berbatov ) will both be okay," said Sir Alex, following Tuesday's win in Germany.

"If I have that availability I am okay and I’ll be happy enough because I can play a back four of Fletcher, Carrick, Vidic and Evra."

The Reds are currently just two points behind leaders Chelsea, after a good run in the league which has yielded three straight wins with 11 goals scored and just one conceded.

"Our league form is very good. We’ve scored two fours away from home in the last two games which is great," added Sir Alex.

"We have a very difficult game on Saturday against Villa, they are always very hard to play against, but our form is good and you want that going into any game. Hopefully we can keep it going."

Sol Campbell has invited Manchester United to make a move for him after he was linked with a shock switch to Old Trafford.

Widespread reports on Wednesday suggested United were lining up a surprise deal for Campbell to bolster their injury-hit defence.

The former England international is free to find a new club after finally securing his release from Notts County after an ill-fated spell at the League Two club.

The 35-year-old, who will have to wait until January to join a new club, is currently training with former side Arsenal as he looks to maintain his fitness.

Reports have claimed United are ready to invite the veteran for training as they weigh up a short-term deal for the central defender.

Wait

Campbell has revealed he has not heard from anyone at United, but that he would interested in a move to the reigning Premier League champions.

"I have heard nothing officially from Manchester United, but there have been suggestions and of course, it would be a great move for me, if it happens," Campbell told ESPN.

"I shall just have to wait and see if a call comes through the right channels.

"Of course I would love to play for Manchester United, but I am not counting any chickens, just waiting to see what happens.

"I am training as usual at Arsenal, and would go to train at Manchester United if I was asked."