Vidic and Ferdinand set for rest

Manchester United defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have been rested from Wednesday's Champions League Group C game at Rangers.

Although both players trained at the Carrington training complex the day before the all-British clash, they were not named in the squad, with an eye on Saturday's Premier League game against Blackburn and next Tuesday's Carling Cup quarter-final at West Ham.

Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling are set to deputise for the first-choice centre-halves.

Darren Fletcher was also missing from training as United opted to have their final session at Carrington ahead of the relatively short trip to Glasgow.

Sir Alex Ferguson and his players are not due to fly into Scotland until Tuesday afternoon but it already appears Fletcher will not be required in his homeland, although no reason has been offered for his absence.

Darron Gibson and Gary Neville were also notable absentees, although Ryan Giggs was working along with Wayne Rooney, who is expected to make his first start since the Premier League visit to Bolton at the beginning of last month.

United require a single point to confirm their presence in the last 16, although it will not be easy in a highly-charged atmosphere at Ibrox.