GORDON STRACHAN has rallied his troops ahead of tomorrow's Old Trafford clash and told them: "Don't leave the pitch with any regrets."

The Saints boss played under Sir Alex Ferguson at both Aberdeen and Manchester Utd and has prepared his team for what remains the biggest test in English football.

He said: "I think anyone who wants to be a professional in the game, whether a player, a manager or a coach, usually your destiny is decided by going to these stadiums.

"If you want to be the best, you need to be tested against the world's best clubs.

"The Manchester United team has been up front for the last 15 years, they play 4-4-2.

"I don't need to say anything to the players they know they have got to play against some very good players. They know what is coming."

He added: "The only tricky thing about Manchester United is the way they keep passing to each other and that is a wonderful trick they have had in the last 15 years.

"But I've told my players when you play a game of football, please do not come off the football field with any regrets, because that is hard to live with."

Saints will go into the game full of confidence after a run of four straight wins and 13 goals, although memories of last season's 6-1 loss at Old Trafford remain fresh.

Strachan said: "I'm not worried about putting things right from last time - I'm more interested in now.

"We feel good about ourselves and my motivation for Saturday is the way the team have been playing.

"When you are not playing well, you have to fight and the players have made themselves feel better.

"They have tried to play football and they have got to give themselves a pat on the back.

"After the Charlton game we had a real sit down and said where we had gone wrong here - we were one dimensional.

"But we have bought the variation back into our play.

"Everyone forgot about what we were doing last year we took it for granted they remembered."

Strachan confirmed Marian Pahars was available again after injury and admitted he was now particularly pleased with the strength in depth of the squad.

He added: "If you look at the team on Sunday we could have had Pahars, Williams, Telfer, Kanchelskis, Rory Delap and Jones on the bench and that says to me we are going in the right direction in building a squad.

"Okay one or two might be unhappy.

"But it eases it when you see the sort of people about who are also not getting a game.

"But it's up for grabs. Beattie and Ormerod are doing well, but they need to as we have Pahars and Delgado coming back.

"Williams and Telfer have also played and been unlucky to lose their places - Telfer was outstanding for the reserves on Tuesday night and is a great professional."