Fergie's Moscow axe falls: Big names sweat on place in squad

Ferguson, trying to win his second European Cup and secure a double, faces the agonising decision of who to leave out of his 18 for the game at the Luzhniki Stadium.

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Nani could be one of the players to miss out for Manchester United in their European Cup final showdown with Chelsea

With a choice between Owen Hargreaves and Carlos Tevez representing the only real question-mark over his starting line-up, Ferguson admits it will hurt him to tell six or seven players they will not even be on the bench.

Ferguson said: "We have 25 players for Moscow. That means seven of them can't even get stripped and sit on the bench.

"I know my team. But the substitutes are the biggest problem. Some very good players are going to be left out. It is not easy to tell them.

"I will tell them myself. That's what I have always done. But it doesn't matter what I tell them. I don't think it registers or resonates with them at all. The disappointment is deep and it is understandable.

"I hope that, at some point in the Champions League, they extend the substitutes' bench to 11 outfield players, as they do in World Cup games. I think that would be justified in the final."

Although defender Gerard Pique has negotiated a move to Barcelona, he will travel, but Louis Saha is injured so United may have 24 players on the plane to Moscow.

That means six will miss out, and it would appear that four will be experienced players, with Ferguson choosing from a group including Gary Neville, Mikael Silvestre, Anderson, Darren Fletcher and Nani.

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Sir Alex Ferguson is faced with a few selection headaches before Manchester United's appearance in the European Cup final

It is thought Hargreaves or Tevez will join John O'Shea, Ryan Giggs and goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak on the bench, with the rest waiting to know if they will be the unlucky ones joining keeper Tom Heaton and youngsters Chris Eagles and Danny Wellbeck in the crowd.

Last night Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the hero of the 1999 Champions League win in Barcelona, warned those who do not start that they can still have an impact.

Solskjaer, now a United coach, said: "If you sulk and are on the bench and the gaffer calls you on, you are not ready because there's something going on in your head. Then you may regret it."

One player certain to start is midfielder Paul Scholes, who missed out through suspension in 1999.

Last night team-mate Ryan Giggs said: "Paul deserves to play because he is a great player. His form and his goal against Barcelona in the semi-final have been brilliant.

"The disappointment of 99 was massive but he has another chance now."