United leave big names at home
Soccer:Alex Ferguson left out most of his big names from Manchester United’s squad for tomorrow’s Champions League encounter with Galatasaray. Wayne Rooney was among those to miss out, even though he was able to return to training this morning after sitting out the weekend defeat at Norwich with tonsillitis.
With qualification already secured, Ferguson also left out Rio Ferdinand, skipper Patrice Evra and top scorer Robin van Persie among those not to make the trip. Paul Scholes was absent too, as was Ryan Giggs, the only survivor from that 1993 ‘Welcome to Hell’ expedition to Istanbul, following his appearance at Carrow Road.Of the more experienced members of the United squad, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher are included, as are strike duo Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez. David de Gea did not travel even though he also trained today after having his wisdom teeth removed last week.
It means Ferguson’s team will have a strong infusion of youth, including Nick Powell, the summer signing from Crewe. Josh King, Davide Petrucci, Tom Thorpe and Ryan Tunnicliffe are among those hopeful of having some involvement.
Squad: Johnstone, Lindegaard; Rafael, Buttner, Jones, Thorpe, Vermijl, Wootton; Carrick, Petrucci, Cole, Cleverley, Fletcher, Anderson, Powell, Young, Tunnicliffe; Hernandez, King, Welbeck, Macheda.
