 Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane was still suffering from an ankle injury sustained in the previous season's FA Cup final, which meant defender Denis Irwin took responsibility as the team captain.Ryan Giggs was also ruled out of the game, though his injury was unspecified.Forwards Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke started upfront for United, in a 4–4–2 formation where David Beckham and Jordi Cruyff acted as the two wide midfield players.