Man Utd look to keep it in the family

Manchester United caught a flight to Germany yesterday with a 19-man squad containing few familiar faces. Injuries have forced Sir Alex Ferguson to leave 13 of his most experienced players at home as United go in search of the point against Wolfsburg to ensure they finish top of Group B in the Champions League.

Among those left behind on the treatment table are eight defenders, including Rio Ferdinand (calf and back), Jonny Evans (calf) and Gary Neville (groin). With Nemanja Vidic still laid low with the virus that sidelined him for Saturday's 4-0 thrashing of West Ham, and John O'Shea last night ruled out until January with an ankle injury, Ferguson is without the services of eight defenders, leaving just Patrice Evra as his lone first-team regular in a squad that contains 13 midfielders.

"Yes we have one fit defender," Ferguson said, smiling, when asked about the injury crisis. "Manchester United are always the first to try something so we will try playing one in defence."

One of the youngsters who travelled with the United squad to Germany was Oliver Gill, the 19-year-old son of the club's chief executive, David, and as yet untested at senior level. Gill, along with Evra the only specialist defender in the United squad, can play at either full-back or centre-back. He has been on the club's books since he was 12 and has played regularly for the United reserves this season.

A product of Manchester Grammar School, Gill (pictured above with senior pros Michael Owen and Paul Scholes) has combined his football with his studies. His three AS levels (including two A grades) mark him out as rather better schooled than the average Premier League footballer. But he can also play a bit, too, according to Ferguson.

"He's a young boy. It's his first year as a professional and he's been combining education with training in the last couple of years," said his manager. "He is developing physically. He was rakish and gangly and lacked physical strength but he has done well."

Assuming Gill does make his first-team debut tonight in a back line likely to also contain deputising defenders Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick, he'll be facing one of Europe's most dangerous strikers in Edin Dzeko. The 6ft 4in Bosnian – who has been linked with a move to Manchester United recently – has scored 40 goals in his 75 league appearances for Wolfsburg, and he'll be primed tonight knowing that his side's destiny lies in their own hands.

Victory for the Germans against United would see them progress from the group stage in their first season in the Champions League, but even a draw might be enough for Wolfsburg provided that CSKA Moscow don't win at Besiktas in the pool's other match.

United, on the other hand, have already qualified for the next phase of the tournament, but they still need a point to ensure they finish top of the group. And if Olivier Gill is selected to help secure the point it won't because he's the boss's son. "If he's good enough, he plays," said Ferguson. "That's the name of the game." ·