MONACO, Aug 28: Alex Ferguson is likely to use Friday’s European Super Cup match against Zenit St Petersburg as the perfect opportunity to revitalise his Manchester United team after a tricky start to the season.

Zenit will be looking for another British scalp in the traditional match between the winners of the previous season’s Champions League and UEFA Cup, which the Russian side clinched with victory in the May final against Scotland’s Rangers.

United have been hit by injuries, suspensions and Olympic call-ups this month but Ferguson is hoping club skipper Gary Neville, fit after a series of career-threatening injuries, Nani, who has had a league suspension, and Brazil’s Anderson, just back from the Beijing Games, will play a part on Friday.

“I think we’ll view the Super Cup as a one-off and we want to win it obviously,” Ferguson said at a press briefing at United’s Carrington training ground before leaving for Monaco.

“But it is also an opportunity to play Anderson, back from the Olympic Games, Nani who’s available from suspension, and if possible Gary Neville. I think those three will all figure in Friday’s game.

“Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney will also be involved. After that it depends who’s back from injury — if Owen Hargreaves has maintained his training performances he will play. I think we’ll play a strong team but there’ll certainly be some changes.” United will, however, be without the injured Michael Carrick, Cristiano Ronaldo, not yet fit after surgery, and Ryan Giggs who has a hamstring problem.

—Reuters