Ex-York City star Jonathan Greening is poised for a dramatic intervention in Manchester United's Euro summit as they chase a treble dream.
Greening may well get a bench-mark for tonight's European Champions' League showdown with Bayern Munich in front of a 98,000 capacity Nou Camp arena in Barcelona.
United's plans for their treble-rousing mission against the crack German champions, also seeking a triple slam of trophies, were pitched into disarray after an injury scare for England ace David Beckham.
Beckham appeared to suffer a thigh injury during an hour-long training session in the Nou Camp cathedral last night.
The winger, whose crossing ability is unsurpassed in the world and vital to the supply of goal-laden strikers Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, walked gingerly to the sidelines for treatment.
He sat down while United physiotherapist David Fevre placed an ice pack on his thigh, watched nervously by team-mates and the United management. Beckham left the stadium with the injury swathed in the considerable strapping.
Phil Neville also needed treatment for a slight ankle injury, but the England defender was able to return to action soon after.
Only an investigation today will reveal how serious the damage is to Beckham and United's hopes of adding the European Cup crown to their domestic double of the Premiership and the FA Cup. Already manager Alex Ferguson has been shorn of abrasive captain Roy Keane and puckish fellow midfielder Paul Scholes, both suspended.
Any doubt about Beckham increases the prospect of the 20-year-old Greening being named as one of the seven substitutes for the stirring conclusion to United's marvellous season.
The former City star has hugely impressed United supremo Ferguson in his first full season at Old Trafford.
This season's reserves' player of the year, Greening has been offered a lengthy new contract to add to the two years still to run on his present deal he signed when moving from City 16 months ago in a big-money deal initially realising £350,000, but likely to rise to £1.6million based on appearances.
So far he has made seven senior outings - three full starts in the Worthington Cup, and four from the bench. As an attacker blessed with pace and dribbling ability he would be a useful weapon in the possible absence of Beckham.
Greening's promotion to the bench would be an amazing turnaround for the Scarborough-born striker, who came through the youth ranks at Bootham Crescent, where he caught the eye of United.
He had only figured in 25 League games for the Minstermen, impressing with mazy runs and spectacular strikes, before the big-money deal was sealed taking him to his boyhood idols.
Now Greening could be on the verge of a United's attempt to become the first English side to complete a glittering threesome of trophies.
But whoever Ferguson puts on to the pitch has the complete faith of the United boss.
"We don't minimise our task but I'm proud of the players' achievements this season," insisted Ferguson.
"I trust them and I'll trust them tonight. They have got better with each game and have thrived on the challenges they have faced."
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