Steve McClaren spread his wings even further yesterday by revealing that he plans to apply for Alex Ferguson's job when the Manchester United manager relinquishes his duties in 18 months' time.
McClaren is hoping the exposure of working alongside Peter Taylor for England will elevate him to a position of increased strength when United begin the task of sifting through the list of Ferguson's potential successors.
For the time being, however, McClaren has more pressing matters of concern after joining the United squad here for tonight's Champions League game against Anderlecht.
Ferguson says he has been impressed by Anderlecht's recovery since losing 5-1 at Old Trafford and expects "a sterner test" in the Stade Constant Vanden Stock. But, having upset PSV Eindhoven with some of his comments before United's last European game, the acrimony has spread to Belgium after the Walloon press quoted him describing Anderlecht as "a small team".
"We are not a small team. Ferguson has no right to say that," retorted the Belgian champions' president Roger Vanden Stock. "We have proved that with our results against Dynamo Kiev and PSV and I believe we will prove that now to Ferguson. He will see."
Victory will send United into the second phase but Ferguson will be missing Teddy Sheringham (calf) and Roy Keane (hamstring). In the midfielder's absence, Ryan Giggs will take over the captaincy.
Anderlecht have injury doubts over midfielder Didier Dheedene, Bart Goor and Romanian playmaker Alin Stoica.
Three first team regulars missed Saturday's narrow 2-1 league win at Excelsior Mouscron that saw Anderlecht hold on to second position, four points behind leaders Club Bruges in the Belgian League.
Canadian striker Tomasz Radzinski, who scored twice against Dynamo Kiev last week, sat out the weekend game with flu, but will be fit in time.
Defender Glen De Boeck has been receiving treatment for a calf injury and will undergo a late fitness test. Stoica will also have treatment for a lower back strain. "Then we'll know a bit more," said coach Aime Anthenuis who has lined up Ivorian Aruna Dindane as a possible stand-in.
If Dheedene's knee injury fails to clear, Anthenuis said he could draft in either Alexsander Ilic or Davy Oyen on the left or switch Bertrand Crasson over from the right.
For Anderlecht, the stakes are high. "If we lose, we have no chance of making the second place," Anthenuis said.
Anthenuis also reckons the visitors will be at near full strength. "They can qualify for the next stage if they beat us. They took risks against PSV and their arrogance didn't pay off," he said, referring to United's 3-1 defeat against the Dutch when they rested several of their big stars.
Ferguson fears giant Czech striker Jan Koller. He said: "He's a big lad and a massive threat to us. He's a good player and I think overall Anderlecht are a better attacking side than PSV."
United's Dutch international defender Jaap Stam is missing long term with an Achilles problem along with Jesper Bloomqvist, who has a knee problem. Ronny Johnsen, who picked up a calf knock in the 3-0 defeat of Leeds on Saturday, is also doubtful.
Probable Teams
ANDERLECHT: De Wilde; Crasson, Staelens, Doll, Ilic; Goor, Vanderhaeghe, Baseggio, Dindane; Koller, Radzinski.
MANCHESTER UNITED: Barthez; Irwin, Brown, G Neville, Silvestre; Beckham, Butt, Scholes, Giggs; Yorke, Cole.
Referee: Stefano Braschi (Italy)
