Brown recovery on track

Wes Brown remains on course for a full recovery from his latest injury nightmare.

The England defender is due to enter hospital next month for surgery on his right knee after he damaged cruciate ligaments in the final game of the season against Everton on May 11.

Although there were reports Brown had suffered a setback in his recovery, it is understood United had always pencilled in his operation for the beginning of July – giving the 23-year-old a chance to build up muscle around his knee in readiness for the operation.

Team-mate Roy Keane did not have surgery until six weeks after he had suffered similar damage in 1997 and he eventually returned 10 months later after being persuaded against making his comeback in the final game of the season.

Brown is currently on holiday but is due to return to Manchester shortly after turning down the option of going to Colorado for treatment from the surgeon who successfully guided Ruud van Nistelrooy back to full fitness two years ago.

Instead, he will go back to the specialist who treated him for the same injury in his left leg which ruled him out of the entire 1999-2000 campaign.

Brown is one of five members of Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad currently on the injured list. But – unlike their unfortunate team-mate – Nicky Butt (ankle), Gary Neville (foot), David Beckham (hand) and Rio Ferdinand (knee) all hope to make the July 19 departure date for the Red Devils’ high-profile tour to the United States.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad have denied reports linking midfielder Xabi Alonso with a move to United.

It had been reported United were interested in signing the talented midfielder. But Sociedad spokesman Jose Luis Barrenetxea said: “There has been nothing. There have been some rumours as a consequence of the team’s great run, but the club has not received any contact regarding the player.”

The 21-year-old has sprung to prominence this season after playing a key role in Sociedad’s title challenge.

The player himself said: “I don’t know anything about any interest from any team. They are just rumours, but for the time being I am happy in Spain.”

Alonso’s current contract with the San Sebastian club runs until 2007, and his buy-out clause is reported to be in the region of £20million.