Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he plans to field a reserve-team against Roma this week.

With their place at the top of Group F already secure and Roma guaranteed to finish runners-up, the Manchester United boss sees no reason to risk his key men at the Stadio Olimpico, especially with a blockbuster confrontation with Liverpool looming at Anfield next weekend.

China international Dong Fangzhou is among a number of youngsters likely to get a game, with Ferguson keen to take the opportunity to blood some of his fringe men, who have been denied first-team experience by United's unexpected Carling Cup exit at the hands of Coventry.

"It is a golden opportunity for us and we are not going to miss it," said Ferguson. "Roma have qualified, so they will probably play some younger players and so will we.

"I will take a lot of the first-team squad with me because I need 18 players but it will be an almost completely different team."