United defender Vidic left out at Barcelona

Manchester United's defender Nemanja Vidic, seen here on April 22, 2008, has been left out of Manchester United's team to face Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final, first leg on Wednesday.

Manchester United's Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic has been left out of Manchester United's team to face Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final, first leg on Wednesday.

Vidic contracted a severe stomach bug late on Tuesday evening, after appearing at the pre-match press conference, and was taken to a local hospital for assessment.

He had only just returned to the United side after three weeks out of action with a knee injury.

The absence of the Vidic means Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has taken the unusual step of naming England midfielder Owen Hargreaves at right back.

Wes Brown passed a late fitness test and has been moved across into the centre of the defence in place of Vidic.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has opted to use Spanish international playmaker Andres Iniesta up front, alongside Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o.

The decision to start with Iniesta means Thierry Henry and Bojan Krkic are on the bench.

Messi is starting his first game in two months after a thigh injury while Portuguese international Deco comes into the Barca midfield after not playing in two months with calf and tendon problems.