With a spot in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages already in place, Manchester United will have the pressure off them in their matchup against CFR Cluj on Wednesday.  Due to its minimal importance, boss Sir Alex Ferguson will surely be rotating his Reds squad around for the showdown.

Ferguson is looking to rest several of his top players before their Sunday derby match versus the likes of Manchester City at Etihad Stadium in a Premier League showdown.

For the current game at hand, several on the fringe footballers are likely to be used at the Theatre of Dreams against the Romanian champs.  However, due to Man United's shortage of wingers, the team is expected to mostly stick with a formation that has proved to be successful this season.

On the defensive side for the Reds, goalkeeper David de Gea established himself as the club's go-to-guy in between the posts until a wisdom teeth operation hindered his fitness.

Due to the surgery, Anders Lindegaard took over in goal while the goalie was on the shelf and did keep his starting place when de Gea was again available against QPR.

Nonetheless, de Gea should more than likely get the call in Goal for the matchup against CFR Cluj. 

Although Ferguson removed right-back Rafael da Silva during the first half of the game versus Reading, the Brazilian player still is considered United's best choice.  Therefore, he should be getting the rest and not being played against CFR.

Chris Smalling will likely get the nod in da Silva's place proceeding his recent recovery from an injury.  Although Smalling has mostly been used in the middle of the term, the team's minimal options on the right should get him the start.

CLICK HERE to watch Manchester United face off against CPR Cluj via free live stream.  Game coverage is set to begin at 7:45 p.m. GMT on Wednesday, Dec. 5.

Tags: Champions League International Soccer