Valencia vs. Man United Preview: How Will Alex Ferguson Set Up Team in Spain?

Alex Ferguson takes his Manchester United team to Spain this to face Valencia in a Champions League Group C clash this evening. The Spanish side are considered the Red Devils' biggest threat to top the group.

United have been hit with a number of injuries in recent weeks. Ferguson will be without Antonio Valencia who suffered a horrible ankle break against Rangers.

United also travel without Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney. Giggs and Rooney both picked up injuries in the 2-2 draw away to Bolton at the weekend.

Alex Ferguson has a slate of issues he must mull over. His tendency away in Europe is to opt for a five-man midfield, to give his team a safety net.

The manner in which his back line has been conceding goals will also be a major issue and would be one of the major reasons why having five in midfield would benefit United.

He could also play a 4-4-2 formation and have either Michael Owen, Javier Hernandez or Federico Macheda play alongside the in-form Dimitar Berbatov in attack.

In my opinion Ferguson will stick to the 'a point gained is better than a point lost' theory and play five in the midfield.

The most likely starting XI for Manchester Untied against Valenica tonight is:

Goalkeeper: Edwin Van der Sar

This will come as no surprise. Despite Van der Sar having conceded a lot more goals in the opening games of the Premier League than usual this season, none have been the Dutch keeper's fault and it would be a major shock to see anyone other than Edwin between the posts.

Right Back: John O'Shea

O'Shea is one of the most versatile defenders in the United team, and that has made him a very useful tool for Ferguson, and it is one of the reasons he has become quite a regular at Old Trafford. With Gary Neville out, it is pretty much a certainty that the right fullback position will be filled by the Irish defender.

Centre Half: Rio Ferdinand

Alex Ferguson will be delighted to see some good news on the injury front. Ferdinand played in the Carling Cup victory a week ago and it is very likely that he will be brought back into the team after being rested for the Bolton game. Jonny Evans could start if Ferguson does not want to risk Rio, but the way the defense has been lately Fergie would be happy to see Rio back in.

Centre Half: Nemanja Vidic

Vidic is one of the first names on the team sheet. His play recently has been vastly improved this season and he has returned to the form that won him major attention in recent years. He too will be happy to see Ferdinand beside him.

Left Back: Patrice Evra

Evra is another player who is almost guaranteed his place in the team every game. His play has not been up to the standard that many are use to, but he will still see his name on the team sheet and Ferguson will hope that he does not defend in the manner in which he did against Everton.

Right Midfield: Park Ji Sung

Park is another favorite of Alex Ferguson. His work rate and team ethic make him invaluable to the United team, especially when it comes to games that need each and every player to work hard and put in a shift. He could switch back and forth between left and right winger, but I would say Fergie will ask him to try and limit Mata getting at United's back four.

Centre Midfield: Michael Carrick

Carrick is a player that is still a little up in the air. He is said to have returned to full fitness, but unlike Rio Ferdinand, Carrick did not see any Carling Cup time. In saying that Ferguson has very limited options if he is to play a five-man midfield and Carrick may just have to suck it up and get on with the job at hand.

Centre Midfield: Darron Gibson

Gibson will most likely see action based on the formation that Ferguson opts for rather than his performance in training or previous games. In saying that Gibson did play against Rangers in the Champions League opener and he also did run out in the Carling Cup. Gibson would be the most likely not to play if Fergie opts for two strikers.

Left Midfield: Nani

Nani is swiftly becoming one of the most important players for United. He has put in some great shifts for United and Ferguson will be hoping for another against Valencia. He will be given a bit more freedom than Park on the opposing side.

Forward: Dimitar Berbatov

Ferguson, United fans, United players and pretty much everyone else will see Berbatov as United's key to success. The Bulgarian has rose to the occasion and filled the void left by Wayne Rooney's loss in form. Berbatov has found form and a goal scoring touch than will make him Valencia's biggest concern.