Soccer: United engine-room likely key for Eriksson's England

KOBE - His options limited by injury, England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to turn to the premier league's most consistent side, Manchester United, for the engine-room in his team's opening World Cup game against Sweden.

The match is one of two in the "group of death" tomorrow, the other featuring favourites Argentina against African high-flyers Nigeria.

David Beckham is fit to lead England out after seven weeks with a broken foot, but the absence of Liverpool's Steven Gerrard has left a gaping hole in central midfield alongside Paul Scholes. That should be filled for the group F game by the workmanlike Nicky Butt. Now back from a knee injury, Butt should see off Canadian-born talent Owen Hargreaves to complete a United trio in the middle at Saitama.

However, should Butt begin to fade, or play below the high standards he set for United last season, the more inventive Hargreaves would get the chance to build on impressive recent performances.

Although some of the faces have changed because of injury, with Gerrard and right-back Gary Neville likely to be missed, Eriksson has already indicated there will be no tactical revolution.

A 4-4-2 line-up remains the preferred option, one that sucks opponents into the England half before releasing the lightning pace of Michael Owen and Darius Vassell on the counter-attack.

England have not beaten Sweden since 1968.

Argentina are favoured to beat Nigeria, but the Africans believe they have already defeated the most difficult opponents they will face at the tournament - themselves.

After getting off to flying starts at the past two World Cups in 1994 and 1998, the "Super Eagles" crashed to earth at the knockout stage, failures that many have blamed on a lack of team spirit from some of their expensive European club stars.

But under new coach Festus Onigbinde, brought in after the Nigerians failed to reach the final of the African Nations Cup, the accent is on teamwork.

Defender Efe Sodje, who plays at club level for Crewe Alexandra, just relegated to the English second division, is one example of the new blood Onigbinde has brought into the team.

Before their disappointing Nations Cup performance, a planned "friendly" against Egypt had to be called off after the players refused to play because they hadn't received a promised US$70,000 ($148,210) bonus for reaching the World Cup.

It was typical of the internal strife that has plagued the team over the years.

However, since Onigbinde took over, the team have enjoyed a seven-match unbeaten run, including disciplined away wins against Ireland and Scotland.

Nigeria came through the first round in 1994, only to blow a 1-0 lead against Italy in the last minute, and after finishing top of their opening group in France four years ago, ousting fancied Spain, they disintegrated against Denmark.

Their record against Argentina is better than most, having lost to them in 1994 but then beating their under-23 team in the 1996 Olympic final.

"They're a good side, they've got great players," Sodje said. "But the manager isn't bothered about the Argentines, he's bothered about his own side."

- AGENCIES

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