Veron ready to take over Keane's role for United

"Bring them on, Barcelona, Inter, Real... Kluivert, Ronaldo, Zidane. We don't fear anyone."

Sir Alex Ferguson did not actually use those exact words, but that was the gist of his message yesterday as his resurgent Manchester United team awaited today's draw for the group stages of the Champions' League.

Since United will be seeded they are unlikely to meet more than one famous name, but Ferguson is unconcerned whoever their opponents are. "In 1998 we got Barcelona and Bayern Munich. We responded then and would do so again. We're just happy to be there."

That sentiment was echoed from the loyalists of K Stand to the strategists of the boardroom. United's pride was as vulnerable to the embarrassment of competing in the Uefa Cup as their finances. The 14 players involved against Zalaegerszeg equated to an investment of £94m in the transfer market and many more in youth development. Add in a wage bill pushing £2m a month and it was the most expensive team ever put on the park by a British club.

Nor has the spending finished. Ferguson was already seeking a goalkeeper, a defender and a striker before the weekend's transfer deadline. In the wake of the latest injury problems he may be tempted to look for midfield cover as well.

In Ferguson's favour is the three-week hiatus before the opening Champions' League matches. By then Nicky Butt, who has a toe injury, should be fit, as might Paul Scholes, who went over on his ankle during Tuesday's comfortable victory. In defence, Rio Ferdinand should be fully integrated and Gary Neville will be near full fitness. Barring further injury, Ferguson may feel able to allow Roy Keane to have the knee operation his body demands.

While any team would miss Keane even this could have a silver lining. Juan Sebastian Veron had a good game on Tuesday, adding an eagerness for the fray to his impressive passing range. At last free from his nagging ankle injury, he is well placed to prosper in Keane's absence. When not aiming to release the likes of David Beckham or Ryan Giggs, United's defenders tend to look to Keane when passing through midfield.

Veron thus survives on scraps of possession rather than the buffet he is used to with Argentina and which he feasted off at Lazio. With Keane out, Veron could adopt his role as the fulcrum of the side – especially with Butt alongside to compensate for his defensive failings.

That, at least, is the theory. The midfield quartet of Beckham, Butt, Veron and Giggs appeared twice last season. On the first occasion they spent 72 minutes attempting to break down Olympiakos at Old Trafford. Ferguson then introduced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for Butt, moved Scholes back into midfield, and United scored three times in the last 11 minutes. On the second, against Middlesbrough at home in March, Veron was infamously caught in possession by Benito Carbone on the edge of his own box after nine minutes. The only goal of the game followed. From then on the title was Arsenal's.

Middlesbrough return to Old Trafford on Tuesday, before which United visit Sunderland. Champions' League qualification may be assured, and United may have regained their ring of confidence, but Ferguson still has much to ponder.

* The Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has made a move for Boavista's Portuguese international goalkeeper Ricardo as he looks for a new No 1 before this weekend's transfer deadline.