Alex Ferguson believes England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has little option but to include Wayne Rooney in his World Cup squad today – although he maintains it is a “forlorn hope” that the forward will be fit for the finals in Germany.

Sven-Goran Eriksson’s injury crisis may have opened the door for young wingers Stewart Downing and Aaron Lennon to storm into his World Cup squad.

Wes Brown returned to the England squad as Sven-Goran Eriksson launched his World Cup preparations.

ENGLAND coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has played down suggestions Manchester United’s Alan Smith does not have a future with the national team.

Ryan Giggs looks set to miss Manchester United’s Champions League qualifier with Hungarian title winners Debrecen at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Alex Ferguson is sweating on the fitness of Gary Neville for tomorrow's FA Cup final clash with Arsenal.

Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gary Neville are all minor doubts for Manchester United’s final Barclays Premiership game at Southampton on Sunday.

Goal-shy Manchester United expect to have Ruud van Nistelrooy available for tomorrow’s Old Trafford encounter with Chelsea.

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs has been ruled out of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final with Newcastle at the Millennium Stadium.

Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher are Manchester United’s only major absentees for the visit to Norwich.

Ryan Giggs will remain on the sidelines for Manchester United’s Barclays Premiership clash with Fulham at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Alex Ferguson has confirmed Ruud van Nistelrooy will start tomorrow’s Premiership encounter with Portsmouth at Old Trafford.

Alex Ferguson faces a major selection dilemma ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League last-16 clash against AC Milan at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a major doubt for Sunday’s Manchester derby after picking up a calf injury on international duty with Portugal on Wednesday.

MANCHESTER UNITED believe they are back in the Premiership title race after a remarkable 4-2 victory at Arsenal last night.

Alan Smith remains a doubt for Manchester United’s FA Cup fourth-round tie with Middlesbrough at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Alan Smith is poised for a Carling Cup recall for Manchester United tomorrow after recovering from the ankle injury he picked up in the first leg of the semi-final at Chelsea.

Rio Ferdinand will return to Manchester United’s starting line-up against Aston Villa tomorrow after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is recalling his big guns for the FA Cup replay at non-league Exeter tomorrow.

Tim Howard will be given the chance to press his claims for a long-term return to the Manchester United side when he turns out against Exeter at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Alex Ferguson expects to have Gary Neville back in his squad for tomorrow’s Old Trafford clash with Tottenham – and hopes Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit as well.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson can call on only one experienced striker in Alan Smith for the match at Middlesbrough tomorrow.

Gabriel Heinze and Cristiano Ronaldo both return to Manchester United’s squad for the Boxing Day encounter with Bolton at Old Trafford.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze have been given a short break by Alex Ferguson for tomorrow's Premiership encounter with Crystal Palace, so Darren Fletcher and John O’Shea are set to return. Kleberson (ankle) and Louis Saha (knee) are definitely out.

Alex Ferguson will take a late check on top scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy before deciding whether to pitch the 12-goal striker into Monday’s Barclays Premiership clash with Fulham.

Alex Ferguson is expected to restore Gabriel Heinze, Gary Neville and Cristiano Ronaldo to his 1000th Manchester United line-up.

Louis Saha is facing another spell on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury in France’s 0-0 draw with Poland on Wednesday.

Manchester United skipper Roy Keane is struggling to shrug off a flu virus ahead of Sunday’s crucial Old Trafford clash with Arsenal.

Manchester United’s Champions League hopes were dealt a blow this morning when both Roy Keane and Rio Ferdinand were ruled out of tomorrow’s encounter with Sparta Prague.

Alex Ferguson will have his four big-name strikers available for the first time in the Barclays Premiership game at Birmingham tomorrow.

Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas was today handed his first England start as the replacement for suspended captain David Beckham in Azerbaijan.

Sven-Goran Eriksson threw a three-pronged strikeforce into today’s World Cup qualifier against Wales at Old Trafford, with Wayne Rooney in behind Michael Owen and Jermain Defoe.

Sven-Goran Eriksson will reassess David Beckham’s fitness before making a final decision on his line-up for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier in Poland.

England captain David Beckham is poised to move into central midfield if Steven Gerrard is ruled out of tomorrow’s opening World Cup qualifying game in Austria through injury.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson looks set to draft in two of his brightest young stars for the Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Bucharest at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Alex Ferguson today rejected reports that Louis Saha will be out until 2005.

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson yesterday confirmed he is weighing up whether to sign another striker before the transfer window shuts at the end of August.

David Beckham and John Terry were today passed fit to take their places in England’s Euro 2004 quarter-final clash against Portugal.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson must decide whether to break the heart of Darren Fletcher or Phil Neville ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup final with Millwall.

Roy Keane has been ruled out of Manchester United’s Barclaycard Premiership encounter at Aston Villa.

Roy Keane’s chances of appearing in the FA Cup final hinge on him making tomorrow’s final Premiership encounter at Aston Villa.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to return to the Manchester United line-up for tomorrow’s encounter with Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to step out of the spotlight and onto the Ewood Park pitch tomorrow.