Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has explained his squad selection for the trip for CFR Cluj.

The manager's three most experienced men in that department - Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes - did not travel to Romania for various reasons.

"Carrick didn't report today, he's in bed with a virus," Sir Alex confirmed. "Ryan also felt rough this morning and we sent him home. We left Paul Scholes behind.

"Those three players are missing - two with a virus and Paul Scholes because, although he looked great this morning and played great on Saturday, at 37 years of age I can't expect him to play three games like that [Tottenham, Cluj, Newcastle]."