Patrice Evra could be dropped by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in favor of new signing Alexander Buttner for the side's clash with Wigan on Saturday, according to the Daily Mirror.

Evra has been United's first-choice left-back for a number of seasons, but in the last season has endured a dip in his once consistently high level of performances. The Mirror now claims that Ferguson is ready to give a debut to Buttner, who was signed from Vitesse Arnhem last month.

Buttner was a surprise £3.9 million signing for United, with the 23-year-old yet to be capped by the Netherlands.

With Evra now 31 years old, it was thought that Ferguson was looking for a long-term replacement for the France international and were strongly linked with Everton and England left-back Leighton Baines during the summer.

Buttner has yet to appear for United since his move, but started for a United XI on Tuesday and now could be set for a first-team run out.

Also appearing in a 2-1 defeat to Stalybridge Celtic was midfielder Darren Fletcher. The Scotland international hasn't appeared for the United first team since last November after being stricken with a serious bowel condition.

During the summer, Ferguson even cast doubt over whether Fletcher would be capable of making a comeback. Yet there have been more encouraging signs of late, although Ferguson was still putting forward a cautionary tone.

"Darren's put a lot of weight back on. He's back to his normal weight from two or three years ago. It's a case of wait and see," he said earlier this month, according to the Daily Mail.

While Fletcher is unlikely to come into Ferguson's reckoning for the lineup to face Wigan, the United boss faces a selection dilemma in goal. After a high-profile error against Fulham, David de Gea was dropped for United's last outing at Southampton.

But with his replacement Anders Lindegard also being less than assured between the sticks, there is much intrigue as to who will be favored on Saturday.

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