Ahead of next Tuesday's second Champions League semi-final with Arsenal, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will make wholesale changes to his side to face Middlesbrough on Saturday. Rio Ferdinand looks almost certain to miss the lunchtime kick-off against Boro after picking up a rib injury against Arsenal and Ferguson revealed he could make as many as eight changes to his starting line-up for the trip to relegation-threatened Middlesbrough.

"I do not think it is right that we have a lunchtime kick-off at Middlesbrough," bemoaned Ferguson.

"Obviously I will bring some freshness into the team. The defence will be the same, apart from Rio but the midfield and forwards could change completely."