Fulham bank on soft option

"When you see the team-sheet you get an idea of how they're going to play and that has an impact on how we are going to play, certainly in the first half," Kean said. "It is anybody's guess who they will put out. Can they play a full-strength team for games back-to-back on Saturday and Tuesday? If they get a knock can they recover in time?"

The United players themselves seem keen enough to play, with Van Nistelrooy reportedly having a bust-up with Ferguson after being left out of last Saturday's starting XI.

Although Ferguson claimed the Dutchman needed a rest and agreed to be left out, it is understood the striker was desperate to play and let his feelings be known.

Kean, meanwhile, has been carrying out Chris Coleman's instructions this week as the manager recovers from a blood infection in hospital.

He is credited with being the tactical brains in the partnership with Coleman, who hopes to return to the bench tomorrow, and Ferguson's unpredictable selections have kept Kean busy this week.

He said: "We have three main tactical areas where we think we can get at them depending on who they play. It is actually quite good not being able to predict what sort of team they'll have because it keeps the players on edge in practice and focuses their attention."

Ferguson should not expect too many surprises on Fulham's team-sheet tomorrow and knows that Carlos Bocanegra is suspended and Ian Pearce cup-tied.

Barry Hayles should return after a ban and Lee Clark is expected to be involved after an Achilles injury.

Clark said: "To be going to Old Trafford to play the champions is very exciting. There are so many elements to the game after playing them last week and having a great result there earlier in the season. But whatever team they put out, we are going to have to be playing at our maximum.

"They have a tough fixture programme and when they have to make use of their squad we have to make sure we are in a position to capitalise on it."

Fulham will not face their former striker Louis Saha as he is cup-tied. United will also be without Gary Neville, who is suspended. But whether Mikael Silvestre will be rushed back from an ankle injury or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought in is unclear.

There have been question marks over Quinton Fortune's fitness, too, but Fulham will find out the full picture at 11.30am tomorrow.