United Without Experienced Head for Madrid Trip

Manchester United will be without midfield pair Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher for the Champions League trip to Real Madrid on Wednesday.

While Fletcher is out for the remainder of the season will illness, Scholes is struggling with a knee problem and will be absent for the first leg at the Bernabeu.

Phil Jones and Jonny Evans, who were both substituted in the Premier League win over Everton with respective injuries, have both travelled as part of the 22-man squad. Ashley Young, who hasn't featured since January's win over Liverpool, and goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard are both available again.

Sir Alex Ferguson will be expected to match-up Jose Mourinho's La Liga champions in Wednesday's first leg, with Michael Carrick and Jones likely to feature in the centre of midfield, with Shinji Kagawa, Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney playing behind Robin van Persie.

Patrice Evra will line-up as one of United's most experienced players and has called on his team-mates to show their truth self against Madrid.

"If we can beat Madrid then the response it provides for other teams is important," he said.

"Don't forget, last year we were knocked out in the first stage of the Champions League and maybe people have that image of Manchester United in Europe. We have to change that.

"That's why I think this is the perfect year to show who we really are. We can't miss this opportunity to show ourselves, it would be a massive disappointment."

"Lots of people think it brings a lot of pressure to play in this kind of game. No way!" he says. "You can't concentrate on pressure. Everyone dreams of playing in games like this.

"You just have to be a kid. Not on the pitch, of course! But before you start the game, you have to be like a kid who's dreamed of playing this game and so you don't want to miss your chance to do well.

"When the game comes you have to be focused and concentrate because it will be difficult and we will have to fight to win. And when it's time to face Madrid, we will be ready when the referee blows the first whistle."

Manchester United Squad: De Gea, Lindegaard; Büttner, Evans, Evra, Ferdinand, Jones, Rafael, Smalling, Vidic; Anderson, Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs, Nani, Valencia, Young; Hernandez, Kagawa, Rooney, Van Persie, Welbeck.