Sir Alex Ferguson expects Manchester United to push Hull towards relegation in Sunday's crucial clash at the KC Stadium regardless of which players he selects.

Hull are one point and one place ahead of third-from-bottom Newcastle United, while fellow strugglers Sunderland and Middlesbrough are also fighting to preserve their top flight status.

Ferguson is expected to leave his big names on the sidelines with a view to next week's Champions League final against Barcelona in Rome.

But the United side will still include a host of proven internationals and players who would walk into most other Premier League teams.

Rio Ferdinand has shaken off a calf problem and is expected to play at least half the game, while Gary Neville, Darren Fletcher, Wes Brown, Nani and Tomas Kuszczak will also be included in Ferguson's line-up.

Young forwards Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck, who have made significant impressions this season, are likely to lead United's attack.

It will be a second team most managers can only dream about and Ferguson said: "No matter which team I will play, I expect us to win.

"We are expected to win and we will go there to win. That's the responsibility we'll always have. That's always our intention, no matter where we are. To win a game of football.

"It's such a natural thing for us, to play players who have represented us in big games before. All the players involved on Sunday will also be going to Rome. They have been part of the squad all season."

Ferguson admits he considered calling Alan Shearer, Ricky Sbragia and Gareth Southgate to reassure them that United will put up strong resistance against Hull.

"I think it's important to a league that has the best integrity in the world," Ferguson said.

"I did contemplate phoning the three managers involved, Gareth Southgate, Alan Shearer and Ricky Sbragia.

"Then I thought to myself well, Ricky Sbragia worked here and knows this club. He knows exactly what we are going to do.

"Gareth Southgate and Alan Shearer have played against us many times and know exactly what it's like to play against Manchester United.

"So then I dismissed that idea because they must know that we will be doing our best."

Hull counterpart Phil Brown, whose side can avoid relegation with a victory, insists his opposite number is entitled to select whichever team he wants to.

Brown, who is without Jimmy Bullard, Ian Ashbee and Anthony Gardner, for what is the biggest game in the club's history, said: "The last 22 years of Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford have earned him the right to do whatever he likes.

"I have to respect that and so does everybody else. Whatever team comes out of their changing room, he will categorically have a reason for every one of them playing and it'll be a valid reason.

"Everyone has had chances not to be in this situation, it's about 38 games not one.

"It's the biggest game in the history of our football club and that includes the Wembley success last year.

"But it's also as big as the first game of the season where we had to prove we could win games at this level. We did that and went on to surprise everyone.

"The only way to glean anything from the experiences of this year is to go through it, survive it and come through fighting next year in the Premier League.

"I'm going to jump on my Harley Davidson and head to the South of France at the end of it all.

"I'll be taking off next week to celebrate my birthday - hopefully as a Premier League manager."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP