VfL Wolfsburg know that victory against Manchester United FC would take the UEFA Champions League debutants into the first knockout round and coach Armin Veh fancies their chances against the injury-hit visitors.
Wolfsburg will progress from Group B as long as they do not secure fewer points in this game than PFC CSKA Moskva pick up at Besiktas JK, while United – who are through but still need a draw to be absolutely sure of first place – have travelled without 14 regular players, a defensive crisis meaning 13 of their 19-strong squad are midfielders.
With 12 players injured, Ryan Giggs rested and Owen Hargreaves still to make an appearance this term following major knee surgery, Ferguson has been forced to delve into his B-list of players just to make up a squad
Youngsters who have spent two years with a club academy can be supplemented onto the original list of 25 players United must supply UEFA at the start of the competition.
It meant five were on the flight to Germany this morning, with even United's legion of autograph hunters forced to ask their names for confirmation.
Old Trafford supremo David Gill's son was among them, having opted against going to university in favour of trying his luck at professional football.
But, having once had his own son Darren on his playing staff, Ferguson is not likely to give the 19-year-old defender an easy path into the United first-team.
It is a measure of United's injury problems that Gill is one of only two natural defenders in the Red Devils' 19-man party.
The other, Patrice Evra, is apparently being persuaded to play in central defence against his better judgement even though he will be giving almost a foot in height to Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko.
In truth, Michael Carrick is already earmarked for one central defensive berth while Darren Fletcher will also figure somewhere in the back four depending on how successful Ferguson is at winning Evra round.
Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio has urged his side to put their failure to seal qualification against CSKA Moscow behind them.
Benaglio's team-mate Zvjezdan Misimovic added: We have to be hellishly attentive on Tuesday. Manchester are very strong in attack. We can not allow ourselves to walk straight into our opponents' trap.''
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