Match Pack: Birmingham

After losing to one Midlands side in midweek, United will be hoping to beat another when they meet Birmingham for the 99th time in all competitions.

Steve Bruce's Blues are unlikely to face the same side that bowed out of the Carling Cup to Coventry, as the Reds chase a fifth straight league win with a more senior eleven.

Form guide: League-wise, the Reds have put the agonies of August far behind them with a string of solid, if less than scintillating victories. Even after scoring twice in last Sunday's six-pointer against Chelsea, there were suggestions that United can still go up a gear or two... woe betide the first opposition defence that finds Rooney, Tevez and Saha to be all 100 per cent match fit. Birmingham's first-choice backline performed well in the last two league games, however, shutting out Liverpool (0-0 away) and Bolton (1-0 home). The defensive personnel who lost 3-0 to Blackburn in the Carling Cup were entirely different.

Ins and outs: With no new injury worries, Sir Alex may pick the team that picked off Chelsea. Birmingham's on-loan midfielder Oubina will be out for at least six months after seriously damaging a knee at Anfield last Saturday.

Star men: Louis Saha will hope to start after scoring two goals as a sub in September - and netting twice on his last trip to St Andrews in December 2005. Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor will want to improve on his previous game against United when he scored an OG.