England v FYR Macedonia: In these early days of Steve McClaren's management every match is a fresh experience. Today may bring his first test in dealing with obstinate opponents at home. Greece, in a friendly, and Andorra kept plenty of men back but those bodies only amounted to an untidy heap. England negotiated a path round it to score easily and abundantly. Macedonia ought to be capable of more in this afternoon's Euro 2008 qualifier.

They did draw 2-2 at St Mary's in 2002, but a narrow and arguably undeserved loss to McClaren's side in Skopje last month is of greater pertinence. With 71,000 inside Old Trafford the visitors could be galvanised by the occasion. It will be the biggest attendance for any England home game outside Wembley.

Those spectators, at the minimum, expect professionalism. The likelihood is England will stick with the 4-4-2 system that has delivered three wins for McClaren. His wish to have a 3-5-2 formation in the repertoire has been apparent since he got the job and England have practised it on a couple of occasions this week, but the manager seems to hint it is an alternative still under development.

"We might use it in the future," he said, "whether at the beginning of the game or as something we might go to."

McClaren claimed his players had looked comfortable when put into that pattern, but qualified the assertion by adding, "You can't judge anything in two sessions."

He denied there had been a protest from the squad over the potential switch from 4-4-2. Nonetheless, McClaren will still reflect that his defenders are all part of a back four with their clubs. The potential rewards have to be enticing before he takes the risk of fitting them into a different structure.

McClaren has to reckon with the manner in which sides such as Macedonia will pack the centre of the pitch, but if 3-5-2 is not adopted there are still means of countering that within a flexible 4-4-2.

"Normally you get a forward like Wayne Rooney dropping in there," said the manager. "But can the centre-half make the extra man? Rio Ferdinand's strength is his ability to come out of defence. We talked about it before the Greece game. He made up his mind and came out and did it. He looked comfortable and you think, 'Yes, he should do more of that'."

But the manager appreciates that a qualification group must not be mistaken for a laboratory set up entirely for England's benefit.

Macedonia may have been beaten 1-0 in Skopje last month, but the victors did not impress them greatly and the coach, Srecko Katanec, views it as a fixture lost because of a mistake that left Peter Crouch with a chance. He would rather dwell on the closing stages: "If Rio Ferdinand and John Terry are kicking the ball into the stands and if Ashley Cole is clearing off the line that means we can take them on."

McClaren might not expend too much energy in disagreeing with that verdict, since his satisfaction with the night's work in Skopje was limited.

"Great result, but can do better," he commented.

The manager complained that the team had invited pressure by dropping deep in the closing 15 minutes: "We've stressed to the team this week that in times when we go 1-0 up we need to push for the second goal."

A degree of thought will have to be given today to cover against Macedonia. Goran Pandev, a deep-lying attacker with ambitions to leave Lazio and move to the Premiership, ruffled England last month. Owen Hargreaves was around to challenge him then but now that the Bayern Munich midfielder has broken his leg Michael Carrick should inherit those responsibilities.

"He's got great strengths," said McClaren, "and that's why Manchester United paid £18 million for him. Carrick has great composure on the ball, can keep possession, can give you that link to the front players, and also do that holding role."

Rooney ought to figure prominently on his first outing for his country since being sent off in the World Cup quarter-final with Portugal. It is most peculiar that he has not scored for England in a competitive game since the Euro 2004 finals and recent form with Manchester United has been tentative.

Nonetheless, he and others with flair could thrive in a game where their team is sure to enjoy territorial domination.

McClaren, asked about Ferdinand's report of the manager's penchant for scalding criticism, replied with the wry remark that "feedback comes in many forms". He will expect to be issuing compliments later today.

Guardian Service