Ruud On Target For Milan Return
Ruud van Nistelrooy will return to Manchester next week to begin full training after a successful rehabilitation spell in Holland.
The 28-year-old United striker returned to his homeland to recover from an Achilles injury that has kept him out for almost three months. Having completed a sprint programme, the Dutch striker is due back in training next week.
The Champions League last 16 tie with AC Milan has been regularly mentioned as a comeback date for van Nistelrooy, and he appears on target to play at least some part.
" Alan Smith starts training on Monday, while Ruud van Nistelrooy starts training on Tuesday," said Sir Alex. " It is good to have them both back. In fact, it’s terrific to have them back. We’ll assess their fitness as the week goes on."
Meanwhile, United have been given a huge boost ahead of Sunday´s derby with news that Roy Keane ( knee), Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand ( both hamstring) have all recovered from injuries that kept them out of international action this week.
That filip was tempered, however, by news that Cristiano Ronaldo is a doubt due to a heavy challenge from Damien Duff in the international friendly between Ireland and Portugal. The incident still rankles with the United boss.
" It was a bad tackle from Duff," Ferguson said. " I was surprised because he is not usually that type of player. Rio, Ryan and Roy are OK for Sunday, but Cristiano is certainly doubtful."
United have taken 38 points from a possible 42 in their last 14 matches – a record that tops Chelsea’s haul of 36 points during the same number of games.
The unpredictable nature of Derby matches is perhaps not an ideal setting for United to return from an international break and try to continue that form.
But Ferguson says international interludes are par for the course. " You get used to dealing with the international matches," he said. " There is nothing you can do about it. It is an unfortunate part of the job.
" You hope it doesn´t stop the momentum we have built up over the last few months. But I am confident. If you are going into a derby game, you want to be in good confidence and form. At the moment we have got that.
" Chelsea drawing against Manchester City was two points dropped," added Ferguson. " You come to the part of the season where you want to have good form. I don´t think Chelsea have been playing as well as they have been. Obviously that could make it interesting to the end of the season.
" We have to maintain our own form but we also hope to get some help in the form of Chelsea dropping points. It doesn´t matter who you play when you get into the run-in. Everyone is a difficult game."
Therein lies the problem. United make the short trip to Eastlands on Sunday to take on their city neighbours, who are the only team to really dent Chelsea´s rampaging run to a lead of nine points. City beat Chelsea earlier in the season – their only league defeat this term – and draw with Jose Mourinho’s side at the weekend.
" We have lost the last two to City away from home," said Sir Alex. " But our record in derby matches in the 18 years since I came here has been fantastic."
This will be Ferguson´s 26th Manchester Derby. He has won 14, drawn eight and lost only four. But it is United´s recent record that the United boss will be looking to reverse. In the past 6 meetings, United have only taken 6 points from a possible 18.
" But derby games are never matches you can be certain of. Sometimes form goes out of the window. Sometimes they are horrible games, sometimes they are great. You have a mixture. You just never know." Ugly or not, United need the points in the title race.
Report by Ben Hibbs at Carrington, and Steve Bartram.
Je pense que Solskjaer prendra sa retraite au même moment aussi.
