Santini's buys are key to success

When the squad arrived at Stansted airport after their flight back from the match the team coaches were not ready, and when the players finally reached the training ground in Chigwell, Essex, to pick up their cars at 1.30am, the gates were locked.

Santini was not impressed and believes it could hinder preparations for the United game. He added: "It's very difficult because we have only two days to prepare for this big and important game against United.

"They didn't play on Wednesday and they have had four to five days to prepare.

"Since the start of the season, United have had a lot of injuries, but with Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane, Wes Brown and Rio Ferdinand back they are not the same team that lost to Chelsea in the first game of the season. United will be more difficult for us than the game against Chelsea last Sunday.

"I would like for our fans that we could play our best on Saturday but it's very early to think it's possible to beat United. Maybe in three to four months we will be at our best.

"We have had a good start to the season. We have resolved the problems that come with a new and young team but it will take three, four or even five months for me to have enough information to be able to play the 20 players together."

Moroccan Naybet, who spent seven years at Deportivo La Coruna, believes United's era of dominance is over. He said: "I've played United in Europe very often and this is not the same team I used to know. The fact is Manchester United's cycle of glory is over and Arsenal's has begun.

"I think they are at a low point and they have lost a lot of the qualities which made them so great.

"Some United players have moved on, they have signed a lot of youth and they will need three or four years to build a great team again.

"In order to build such a side they need to go through the process of renovation. And, having played in France, Portugal and

Spain, I can tell them it is the same in every one of those countries.

"The big test for United is that they need to avoid changing ideas or changing wholesale the players they have. Any further change could slow down the process of building them back up to the top."

Santini fears he will be without Thimothee Atouba for tomorrow's clash at home to United. The Cameroon midfielder suffered a blow to the knee against Chelsea and has been affected by a lack of feeling in his foot.

Atouba will need to come through today's final training session to stand any chance of playing - but Santini is not hopeful. "We have a big problem with the foot of Thimothee Atouba for Saturday," the Frenchman said. "Maybe it is not possible for Atouba to play."

It is another setback for Santini, who is still without midfielders Sean Davis and Michael Carrick, while Simon Davies is yet to play a full 90 minutes since surgery to correct shin splints.

For United, Rio Ferdinand will retain his place after Monday's comeback against Liverpool and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Roy Carroll will keep Tim Howard out of the team again.