Returning stars give Fergie a welcome problem

A selection headache is looming for Alex Ferguson but after eight straight wins it is a pain the Manchester United boss is happy to have.

With Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both sidelined with unspecified niggles, Diego Forlan grasped another opportunity to step into the spotlight with a late Worthington Cup winner against Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Almost as pleasing as a first semi-final spot in the competition since 1994 was confirmation of David Beckham’s return to full fitness and the imminent arrival of skipper Roy Keane on the first-team scene.

Beckham completed his first full 90 minutes in over a month since it was confirmed he was suffering from a broken rib, while Ferguson confirmed Keane will play a part in tomorrow night’s reserve team clash with Newcastle at Moss Lane.

Both Van Nistelrooy and Solskjaer should be fit to face Blackburn in the televised Premiership encounter at Ewood Park on Sunday as United begin their busy pre-Christmas campaign but arguably Ferguson’s greatest problem comes at the back.

The United boss had confidently predicted record signing Rio Ferdinand and Laurent Blanc would be his first choice central defensive partnership this season, with impressive Waterford youngster John O’Shea filling in when injury or tired limbs forced a change.

However, Wes Brown’s return to top form following the fractured ankle he suffered in the opening game of the season against Zalaegerszeg in Hungary was confirmed by another composed showing last night, although even he was overshadowed by the awesome display of Mikael Silvestre.

The Frenchman, who signed a new four-year contract yesterday, has been a revelation since switching positions with O’Shea. And, despite Blanc being unable to force his way back into the starting line-up, the smart money must still be on Silvestre returning to left-back when Ferdinand is fit, although Ferguson cannot completely ignore the bald facts of five clean sheets on the trot amid a sequence of eight successive wins.

“Both Mikael and Wes were outstanding,” admitted the United chief. “It was a fantastic performance by both of them.

“There is no doubt that the two of them have been a revelation but I don’t see it as a problem – we are delighted it has happened.

“We need a strong squad going into the second half of the season and they will both be very valuable to us.”

Having repelled the visitors’ increasing threat, United settled it 10 minutes from time when Forlan latched onto Beckham’s incisive pass and drilled a low shot past Carlo Cudicini to grab his seventh of the season and further justify the Red Devils’ £7m (€10.9m) outlay 12 months ago.

The goal ended Chelsea’s 11-match unbeaten run and confirmed home intent to add to their single trophy triumph in the competition, achieved under Ferguson in 1992, and make a debut cup final visit to the Millennium Stadium.

“Maybe the situation will surprise some people bearing in mind the way we have approached the tournament in the past,” admitted Ferguson.

“But once you get by those first two rounds and then find yourself in a home quarter-final against Chelsea there is a great incentive. We are in the last four now so we have to go for it.”

Ferguson admitted he would have preferred to have left out temporary skipper Ryan Giggs because of an ankle knock but instead opted to give Van Nistelrooy and Solskjaer a welcome break.

“It was a dilemma because Ruud and Ole have been in such great form,” he said.

“I knew Chelsea would play their strongest side and it would have been difficult to pitch our young players into that kind of battle.

“I felt one goal would settle it and fortunately Diego got it for us. The players and fans love him because he keeps trying and he is beginning to look like a tremendous buy now.

“He is only 23 and has plenty of goals left in him yet.”