CFR Cluj v Manchester United preview: Alex Ferguson considers pairing Wayne Rooney with Robin van Persie

With Rooney fit again after recovering from a gashed leg, the United manager is considering matching the pair together as the Old Trafford club look to bounce back from Saturday's Premier League defeat to Tottenham.

United were desperately poor as they conceded three times on home soil to Andre Villas-Boas's team, but Ferguson believes the best form of defence could be attack for his side.

"Probably the strongest part of the club will be in the striker department," said Ferguson, who also has England international Danny Welbeck and Mexico forward Javier Hernandez as alternative options up front. "It (Van Persie's arrival from Arsenal) should give everyone a push."

Nonetheless Ferguson has major problems in defence. Nemanja Vidic is sidelined for two months following surgery, while fellow defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are also out.

The Scot has only two centre-backs fit in Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans, the latter of whom was seen limping after the loss to Spurs.

To add to the instability, Ferguson appears unsure over who should be his first-choice keeper - Anders Lindegaard or David de Gea.

Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Antonio Valencia were all absent from the squad that travelled to Romania.

Galatasaray, who United beat 1-0 in their opening Champions League match, host Braga in Group H's other match.