Ghost squad can strikeUNITED'S fringe players could come in from the shadows on Saturday in the FA Cup against Portsmouth and give Sir Alex Ferguson's first-choice XI a day off.
Such is the strength in numbers at Old Trafford that the Reds boss could rest the entire team beaten in the final minutes at Arsenal last Sunday.
The third leg of another Treble challenge in the FA Cup could conceivably be left in the hands of those who've faced Premiership and Champions League frustration this campaign.
In the past, Fergie has packed his side in the early rounds with youngsters but with many of his teen brigade out on loan, and embarrassing scrapes against Burton Albion and Exeter City fresh in the mind, it is a policy the manager has now abandoned.
To get past Aston Villa in the third round, United had virtually a full-strength side out.
But the shadow squad are desperate for match time, with many even fighting for their Old Trafford futures or hoping for a possible shop window opportunity.
The FA Cup wannabes could read like this against Pompey.
TOMASZ KUSZCZAK
The Polish keeper, signed from West Brom last summer as No 2, was one of just two of the fringe men who was afforded an outing against Aston Villa in the last round and did well. Has a Reds deal until 2010 but has the frustrating task of waiting for Edwin van der Sar to show signs of cracking.
JOHN O'SHEA
Mr Versatile has got all his avenues into the first team blocked. Gary Neville is a right-back fixture, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are first choices in centre of defence and Patrice Evra is in sensational form at left back. In midfield, rejuvenated Paul Scholes and £18m Michael Carrick stand in his way. His starts have dried up since October and hasn't begun a game in 2007. Newcastle and Everton are among the teams who have been linked with him.
GABRIEL HEINZE
Hard to believe that the 2005 club Player of the Year is now on the fringes and hinting that he will move in the summer. Hasn't looked the same player in the matches he has played. Milan, Juventus, Paris Saint Germain and Spurs have all been in the frame as possible destinations for next term.
WES BROWN
He finally has an injury-free season and then is beaten by the competition! Brown started the season as Rio Ferdinand's defensive partner. The pairing looked good, but as soon as Vidic was fit again, Fergie made his intentions clear. The Serb is now a fixture alongside Rio. The Reds boss still talks up Brown's ability and rates him one of the best in the country but for how much longer will that placate the Mancunian? Newcastle were reported to be considering a January transfer swoop but he's going nowhere yet.
MIKAEL SILVESTRE
Twelve months ago, the Frenchman was told he could move to Lyon in the mid-season transfer window. He declined to go back to France, vowed to fight on and won a shock new deal to stay until 2009. Heinze's knee injury and last season's initial form of Evra probably got him the contract, but the latter's progress chart has kept Silvestre out of the action. Stood in for a couple of games after Christmas against Wigan and Reading but didn't do enough to hold his place. Another who is also suffering from the Ferdinand-Vidic stranglehold on central defence.
JI-SUNG PARK
One of the more prominent shadow squad members. After returning from an ankle injury that kept him out for 21 matches, he freshened up the Reds flanks over the festive season and has appeared in seven out of the eight matches since. Significantly, he wasn't in the 16 on duty at Arsenal last Sunday. However, the Korean, signed from PSV Eindhoven for £4m in summer of 2005, did get a contract extension at start of this term to keep him at United until 2010.
DARREN FLETCHER
A leading member of the shadow team, who has had more matches than most this campaign, but still can't hold down a regular place in midfield. Has appeared in all but nine of United's 33 matches this season.
ALAN SMITH
Fans' hearts bleed for the Yorkshireman. A 100 per center who has suffered as a result of his horrific leg break and ankle ligament injury at Liverpool almost a year ago. Incredible speedy return to training but then hit a brick wall when it came to match sharpness. Hasn't played a first-team game since Southend in the Carling Cup in November and has been pushed further back by the arrival of Henrik Larsson.
Wants to fight for his place but Everton have been sniffing around again this month.
KIERAN RICHARDSON
Has vowed to stay and battle on at United but his stock is really suffering. Has had just five starts this season.
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER
Had his nose slightly put out by Henrik Larsson's loan move but his future is secure. He's scoring goals following his three-year injury nightmare and has bagged three since Christmas in just two starts and two sub appearances.
DONG FANGZHOU
Can now be officially selected by Sir Alex Ferguson having had his work permit granted in December after two and a half years at Royal Antwerp waiting to get the credentials on the international stage that would ensure his permit. Unlikely to get many chances in Premiership or Champions League, so could get a go in the FA Cup.
I really hope we'll field a strong side against Pompey, I would hate to see Sir Alex underestimate them, and I would hate going out of the FA Cup.
