Simpson ready for United bow

DANNY SIMPSON is hoping a few training ground tussles with Cristiano Ronaldo will help him cope with Coventry in the Carling Cup tonight.

Although it is only four weeks since he underwent the same double hernia operation Michael Owen fears he will require, Simpson feels he will have made enough progress to be considered by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson for the visit of Iain Dowie’s men.

Simpson does have plenty of experience to call upon, having spent an impressive spell on loan with Sunderland in the second half of last season.

The Salford-born star has also figured in the last two United pre-season tours, gaining valuable match practice in both South Africa and the Far East.

However, should he win his fitness fight the 20-year-old full-back would be making a first senior appearance for the club he has supported all his life.

And, while he recognises Coventry will be formidable opponents for what is likely to be a young United side, Simpson feels his duels with Ronaldo should stand him in good stead.

“A young lad can’t ask for any more than facing someone like that,” he said.

“You have to be on your game every time you have a training session otherwise it turns into a nightmare.

“It’s horrible when he runs at you but if you do well against him it is a great confidence booster.”

Simpson recognises how fortunate he is, although it might not feel that way if medical advice goes against him featuring tonight.

The original plan was for surgery to take place during next month’s international break.

But in the end, the pain was so acute, he could not put it off any longer.

“It’s four weeks now and I have been doing a lot of fitness work, so hopefully, I can show the manager I am okay,” he said.

Seven days after Chelsea recorded an abysmal crowd of 24,000 for their Champions League draw with Rosenborg, United are set to put the Londoners’ lofty aspirations of world domination firmly into context by posting an attendance well in excess of 70,000.

Although critics may argue the gate owes everything to the much-derided ‘compulsory ticket scheme’, which commits United season ticket holders to paying for cup games as well whether they want to go or not, enough buyers have signed up for them to deem the exercise a success.

Ferguson says: “All the young players will be involved but I may bring in Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha as back-up,” he said.

“Rooney’s been in my ear wanting to play. He wants to play, be the captain, he wants to take the penalties, the corners, the free-kicks, the goal-kicks, the lot.”

John O’Shea, who has missed three matches after injuring his knee on Republic of Ireland duty in the Czech Republic a fortnight ago, is set for his comeback.

Tellingly though, Owen Hargreaves was not among a list of players Ferguson confirmed will be involved, a firm indication the England man is still to recover from a thigh injury suffered in training with the national team three weeks ago.