Manchester United will look to earn three points against Birmingham City to keep up the pressure on leaders Arsenal, in the New Year's Day clash at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side went down to West Ham United at the weekend and with the Gunners winning at Everton, the Red Devils head into the New Year in second place two points less than the north Londoners, who play the Hammers tomorrow.

Alex McLeish will come across his former boss Ferguson, who was the manager of Aberdeen when the current Birmingham boss played for the Scottish club, most notably in the European Cup Winners' Cup triumph in 1983.

Ferguson is hoping that striker Wayne Rooney and midfielder Michael Carrick will be fit from their respective viral illness, after they both missed the match at Upton Park on Saturday.

Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar (groin) continues his spell on the sidelines which means that Tomasz Kuszczak is set to continue in the United goal. Brazilian midfielder Anderson is likely to be recalled.

For Birmingham, skipper Damien Johnson is a doubtful starter for the match at the Theatre of Dreams as he received an injury to his jaw during the 1-1 draw at home against Fulham at the weekend.

Mehdi Nafti is likely to get an outing after he put up a fine display against the Cottagers in the 45 minutes that he was on the field.

It will also be Swiss defender Johan Djourou's last possible game for the Blues as he is set to go back to his parent club Arsenal after being recalled from the loan spell.

Teams:

Man United (from): Kuszczak, Heaton, Brown, Simpson, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Evra, O'Shea, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Anderson, Carrick, Hargreaves, Nani, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Tevez, Saha.

Birmingham (from): Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Ridgewell, Queudrue, Larsson, Muamba, Nafti, Johnson, McSheffrey, Forssell, Jerome, Doyle, Sadler, O'Connor, Djourou, De Ridder.