Fergie to rest stars against Roma

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With their place at the top of Group F already secure and Roma guaranteed to finish runners-up, the Manchester United boss sees no reason to risk his key men at the Stadio Olimpico, especially with a blockbuster confrontation with Liverpool looming at Anfield next weekend.

"It is a golden opportunity for us and we are not going to miss it," said Ferguson. "Roma have qualified, so they will probably play some younger players and so will we."

He added: "I will take a lot of the first-team squad with me because I need 18 players but it will be an almost completely different team."

Midfielder Owen Hargreaves is virtually certain to be among those excused the flight to Italy after suffering a minor calf problem in the warm-up against Derby.

Ryan Giggs and Edwin van der Sar are almost sure to stay at home as well, with only Hargreaves' late replacement Michael Carrick and central midfield partner Anderson set to retain their starting spots.

China international Dong Fangzhou is among a number of youngsters likely to get a game, with Ferguson keen to take the opportunity to blood some of his fringe men, who have been denied first-team experience by United's unexpected Carling Cup exit at the hands of Coventry.