Birmingham have not scored at Old Trafford since Frank Worthington's goal in a 1-1 draw all the way back in October 1981, and they are currently on a run of nine successive defeats at United without getting past the goalkeeper. With a record like that – plus the fact Sir Alex Ferguson has lost only five of 65 league matches against sides managed by former players – anything but a home win would represent a surprise against Alex McLeish's team. Ben Foster should certainly brace himself for a difficult afternoon as he prepares for his first match back at his former club. Daniel Taylor

Venue Old Trafford, Saturday 3pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season Man Utd 1 Birmingham 0

Referee Mike Jones

This season's matches 4 Y12, R2, 3.50 cards per game

Odds Man Utd 2-9 Birmingham 16-1 Draw 6-1

Manchester United

Subs from Kuszczak, Lindegaard, Bébé, Carrick, Neville, Smalling, Anderson, Brown, Fábio, Gibson, Owen, J Evans, Obertan

Doubtful None

Injured Hargreaves (hamstring, 12 Feb), Valencia (broken leg, 26 Feb)

Suspended Rafael (one match)

Unavailable Park (international duty)

Form guide DWWDWW

Disciplinary record Y34 R1

Leading scorer Berbatov 14

Birmingham

Subs from Doyle, Taylor, Larsson, Fahey, Derbyshire, Jiranek, Parnaby, Phillips, Hleb, Zigic, Redmond

Doubtful None

Injured McFadden (knee, Mar), Vallès (foot, Mar), Dann (hamstring, Aug)

Suspended None

Form guide DWLDLD

Disciplinary record Y33 R1

Leading scorer Gardner 4

Match pointers

• United are unbeaten in their last 24 matches against Birmingham since losing 5-1 at St Andrew's in November 1978

• Stephen Carr has taken 246 throw-ins this season, the most in the division

• If selected, Edwin van der Sar will be making his 300th Premier League appearance

• One third of Birmingham's goals have been scored by defenders, the highest proportion in the division

• United have allowed opponents fewer shots on target against them (64) than any other side