Ferguson to play strong line-up

Ferguson to play strong line-up

Published May. 20, 2011 11:54 a.m. ET

Sir Alex Ferguson does not expect Sunday's game against Blackpool to be Paul Scholes' last in the Premier League for Manchester United.

And Van der Sar, who retires after the Champions League final with Barcelona on May 28, is amongst them.

"I have players who need a game," said Ferguson.

"Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes, Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov, Patrice Evra and Edwin van der Sar will play."

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If Scholes decides to retire, it would be his last Premier League game for United too.

The 36-year-old has still to tell United whether he is going to accept a one-year contract offer. But Ferguson thinks he will.

"I don't think this will be his last game," he said.

"We have discussed it and I have encouraged him to stay on for another year."

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has already been scathing about the threat of a fine being dangled over Ferguson should he field a weakened team on Sunday.

The United manager is not bothered about that. He only has a problem if his team loses, which he does not intend to happen.

"You should be criticised if you lose a game that affects other teams," said Ferguson.

"I remember we played Hull a couple of years ago and played a lot of young players but we won the game 1-0.

"For some reason the previous year, Neil Warnock found it easy to criticise us for losing to West Ham. But if he had seen the game we battered them, so it was a bit unfair."

Meanwhile, Ferguson also confirmed he will give his first-choice line-up some part in Gary Neville's testimonial against Juventus on Tuesday, when former England captain David Beckham will be a welcome visitor to Old Trafford.

"We have to think about that game because Gary has been a fantastic servant to this club," said Ferguson.

"I hope he gets the crowd he deserves."

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