Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will ring the changes when the Red Devils take on Orlando Pirates in their Vodacom Challenge match in Durban on Tuesday night (kick-off 8.10pm).

This comes after United were held to a surprising draw 1-1 by Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.

The draw has prompted the United boss to bring back England international Rio Ferdinand, midfielder David Carrick (Ferdinand's England national teammate) and French defender Mikael Silvestre for the clash against 'Bucs'.

"The idea of this pre-season tournament is to give all the players some game time. Rio had a back spasm before the match against Chiefs. He also missed our friendly against Aberdeen last weekend, therefore, he is behind schedule and badly needs game time," explained Ferguson.

He added: "Carrick pulled up with a minor injury before the match (against Chiefs), while Silvestre is ready to come back after injury."

Ferguson also does not see United veterans Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, who played as central midfielders against Chiefs, as permanent options in those positions when the new English season kicks off next month.

"I was forced to play Giggsy in a central midfield role with Scholes due to injuries. Both players can play in that role but I do not see then pairing up in the new season in central midfield on a permanent basis," he said.

After the way Chiefs fought in front of a capacity crowd at Newlands on Saturday, Ferguson has new respect for South African club soccer.

"When we played in the Challenge two years ago I thought then that Chiefs were the better of the two teams then. But if Pirates show the same commitment and competitiveness that Chiefs displayed, we are heading for another difficult match. But that is the way it should be and the way I want it to be.

"We are using this event to get sharp for our new season and expect tough games," said the long-time Man Utd boss.

If Pirates can put up as good a display as Chiefs did on Saturday, they will be doing local soccer proud.

Pirates spokesman Mickey Modisane said that they wanted to make amends for the humiliating 4-0 defeat after watching Chiefs come close to upsetting a team generally regarded as the best club side in world soccer.