United may be top of the Premier League pile but it is only their home form that has put them in pole position. Last Saturday's 0-0 draw saw an eighth away stalemate of a 'Jekyll and Hyde' season which has seen them an all together more deadly presence at Old Trafford.
Bar West Bromwich Albion's 2-2 draw in October, all other opponents have been vanquished. Ferguson will be hopeful a Midlands side doesn't throw another spanner in the work this weekend.
New Year, no change
What a difference a year makes; At the end of January 2010, Birmingham sat in a comfortable eighth place on 33 points. Now, the pressure has been cranked up after a return of just 23 points has them flirting with relegation in 16th.
After a typically solid start to the campaign, Birmingham have claimed just a solitary victory against Blackpool in their last six games. A repeat of the 1-1 home draw against United during this spell will represent a high point in a period to forget for McLeish.
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
Rafael da Silva's sending off in last weekend's 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur has depleted manager Sir Alex Ferguson's options at right-back. John O'Shea should be back in contention, however, after he featured in the reserves mid-week 8-0 Manchester Senior Cup rout against Bury.
Paul Scholes also returned in that match and could be promoted back to the first team after he overcame a groin injury. Gabriel Obertan will be hopeful his 12-minute hat-trick will be rewarded with a space on the substitute's bench.
Winger Antonio Valencia remains pencilled in for a February return from his leg break and ankle fracture. Owen Hargreaves is still out of action with a hamstring tear.
Possible starting XI: Van der Sar; O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs; Rooney, Berbatov.
Birmingham City
Boss Alex McLeish will be without Scott Dann after he confirmed the centre-back is expected to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring tear that requires surgery. Liam Ridgewell will continue to be shuffled inside from left-back.
Attacker James McFadden is still a month away from a return following damage to his knee ligaments earlier in the season. Young Spanish midfielder Enric Valles is sidelined until March with an ankle knock.
Right-winger Sebastian Larsson is unlikely to feature as he is believed to be poised to sign for Blackburn Rovers. Back-up striker Marcus Bent has already departed to Sheffield United on loan.
Possible starting XI: Foster; Carr, Johnson, Ridgewell, Murphy; Bentley, Gardner, Hleb, Ferguson, Bowyer; Jerome.
Prediction
Man Utd. 3-1 Birmingham 
