SORTING out the paperwork will be the last thing on the mind of Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand tonight - and it will be just the same for his FC United "doppelganger" Rob Nugent.

But while Rio will be totting up the figures on his £100,000-a-week proposed deal before the Premiership opener against Everton, Nugent will be making sure his own figures are accurate in his job as a trainee accountant.

The contrast could not be greater. Millionaire Ferdinand will be watched worldwide on television and by 37,000 at Goodison Park.

And Nugent, discarded by Sheffield United, will pull on a similar red shirt, stick out his chin and run out for rebel club FC United as they play a historic first competitive match against the might of Leek Civil Service Old Boys tomorrow, with capacity limited to 3,000.

Spirit

But for the 2,000 or so Reds who have chosen to watch FC United instead of "big United" - as they have become known in those circles - the shaven-headed Bolton lad, who will pick up around £100 for his afternoon's work, represents football's true spirit.

For them, Ferdinand's perceived greed is as much a part of the problem as Malcolm Glazer. And if their decision to stick to their principles means having to watch football which is only a couple of steps above Sunday morning pub stuff, then so be it.

One thing is for sure, they will sing, chant and joke their way through 90 minutes at Leek's Harrison Park ground, a stark contrast to the virtual silence which emanated from Old Trafford for Tuesday night's game against Debrecen.

So who will the FC United supporters be watching? M.E.N. Sport has come up with a handy comparison of "big United" and "little United", using the probable line-ups of both teams.

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