United boosted as bench press for places

The Serbian international says manager Sir Alex Ferguson is spoiled for choice and left with a constant headache about who to select.

Ferguson saw his side secure a 1-1 draw against Lyon last night in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie, after taking 22 players to France.

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The Old Trafford boss opted to use Wayne Rooney as a solitary striker and play wise old heads Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in the middle of the park. But when the precocious Karim Benzema put Lyon ahead in the 54th minute with a stunning strike, Ferguson reverted to plan B.

Giggs and Scholes came off and were replaced by summer singings Carlos Tevez - who was paired with Rooney - and Nani.

United suddenly had a sense of urgency about them and got a deserved equaliser, and a potentially vital away goal, three minutes from time. Ferguson must have had a wry smile as Nani delivered the cross and Tevez scored at the back post for his 15th of the season, as Lyon failed to clear their lines.

Despite having his work cut out by Benzema, Vidic claims it is United who have good reason to be cheerful and the players to cope with a hectic schedule.

Darren Fletcher may have scored twice in the FA Cup victory against Arsenal at the weekend but he had to settle for being a substitute. That scenario also applied to Louis Saha, Michael Carrick and John O'Shea - experienced players who can make a difference.

Vidic said: "We are capable of finishing games strongly because we have so much strength on the bench. Nani and Tevez made a big difference when they came on."

Vidic claims United have one foot in the quarter-finals going into the second leg at Old Trafford on March 4. He said: "Lyon have some good players, and Benzema caused us some problems. But scoring near the end makes it feel a little bit like a victory."

Ferguson added: "With our attacking options we had on the bench and being 1-0 down, we were always going to make changes. You always wonder if a goal will come, but Tevez has given us a good opportunity to qualify."

Giggs, who made his 100th Champions League appearance in Lyon, will take another step towards a potential coaching career this summer. He was delighted to have joined a select band of centurions - including Paolo Maldini, Raul, Roberto Carlos, David Beckham, Oliver Khan, Luis Figo and Clarence Seedorf.

He said: "I was pleased to get to the 100th Champions League milestone. To play that many is something special, and so it was a special night. It is always important to get the away goals and we got it, so we have to be happy.

"The job is half done, and we will need to play well to beat them at Old Trafford. We hope we will finish the job at home now."

Former Wales captain Giggs is due to start studying for his Uefa 'A' licence in Aberystwyth in June.

Old Trafford has been a good breeding ground for managers - with the likes of Mark Hughes, Steve Bruce, Gordon Strachan, Roy Keane and Paul Ince all graduating from playing.