Inter Milan v Man Utd

Uefa Champions League, First knock-out round, first leg
Venue: San Siro Date: Tuesday, 24 February Kick-off: 1945 GMT

Manchester United are likely to field an unfamiliar central defensive partnership for Tuesday's Champions League tie against Inter Milan.

Nemanja Vidic is suspended, while Jonny Evans limped out of Saturday's 2-1 win over Blackburn with an ankle injury.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho has similar, if less extreme, problems to negotiate.

Argentine defender Walter Samuel is unlikely to make his starting line-up after missing the weekend's 2-1 victory over Bologna with a calf injury.

Six defenders travelled with the United squad to Italy for the opening leg of the first knockout round at the San Siro, with two of them carrying injuries.

The holders are without Gary Neville and Wes Brown through injury, while John O'Shea has a sore heel.

Fabio Da Silva is set to get the nod at the back, according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Obviously we have some injuries and we won't know until Tuesday (whether the players will be fit). O'Shea did a light session on his own and Johnny Evans didn't train. Everyone else who travelled trained," he said.

"With Gary Neville and Wes Brown injured and Nemanja Vidic suspended for the game it is a worrying moment for us.

"I hope one will be OK, probably O'Shea. But that leaves us with a problem at right-back, probably young Da Silva (will play).

"I wish we were in a better position tomorrow defensively in terms of availability but that happens."

With Italy international Marco Matterazzi also struggling to recover in time for the Italian champions, the heart of their backline will be selected from Ivan Cordoba, Cristian Chivu and Nicolas Burdisso.

Mourinho's in-form side sit nine points clear at the top of Serie A after securing their latest victory through goals from Esteban Cambiasso and Mario Balotelli.

Former United midfielder David Beckham played against Mourinho's side for city rivals AC Milan two weeks ago and the 33-year-old has pinpointed Inter's strikeforce as their main threat.

"They have got good players all the way through their squad but I think the forwards are strong, they are quick and they can hold the ball well and they are not frightened so if you control them United have got a chance," Beckham said.

"United have also got some players that can win games and also the defence is exceptional at the minute so that's why it is going to be so tough."

The England international backed United to beat the Italian side and revealed he may even speak to Sir Alex Ferguson prior to the match.

"As a United fan I'm on their side and also as a Milan player I'm on their side," added Beckham.

"I'll be coming to the game, I'm sure I'll speak to some of the players and the manager so I'm looking forward to it.

"United are favourites in my eyes but I am biased. The strength of their squad and the way they have been playing recently, they are on a run where they look unbeatable and I hope that continues."

Mourinho boasts a formidable record when coming up against Ferguson having only lost once in 10 meetings with United when he was in charge of Chelsea.

"It's not going to be easy. Mourinho is a great manager, he knows how to play against great teams and great players and he's done that over the years - but Sir Alex Ferguson is the best manager in football and he's got some of the best players and the best squad in Europe," Beckham said.

"It will be very tactical at the start because that is how Inter play and how Italian teams play but United could open them up and then we will have to wait and see."

Man Utd squad: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Ferdinand, Evra, O'Shea, Evans, Fabio, Eckersley, Giggs, Park, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, Possebon, Gibson, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez, Welbeck