Fergie doesn't like being a let-down

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But the Manchester United manager freely admits telling three players who might have been expected to be involved that they will not be starting Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea will be one of his toughest jobs all season.

He said: "I have had to do it quite often down the years but it is never easy telling players they are not playing. There is no easy way to do it. You just tell them exactly how you are feeling and exactly what they have done for you."

Ferguson has never been frightened of making big decisions. After all, he famously dumped goalkeeper Jim Leighton from the 1990 final replay against Crystal Palace, then consigned departing skipper Bryan Robson to the stands for the 1994 win over Chelsea.

Yet the task gets no easier with time and, having narrowed his options down to 14, the Scot will have to deliver the 'no' speech on three occasions at United's Windsor base.

He added: "My worst fear is having to go to someone who has done a fantastic job for you and has contributed a whole season and you have to tell them they are not playing in the final.

"The only saving grace is those who do not start will be on the bench, so they can come on and be part of it."

Ferguson's choices this time centre around the two full-back berths and a tactical decision over whether Alan Smith should be deployed up front or Darren Fletcher used to bolster the midfield instead.

Wes Brown is expected to get the nod over John O'Shea for the right to replace injured skipper Gary Neville, while on the other flank Patrice Evra is tipped to nudge out Gabriel Heinze.