Van Nistelrooy very doubtful - Ferguson

Alex Ferguson is facing an FA Cup semi-final striking crisis after revealing Ruud van Nistelrooy is extremely doubtful to face Arsenal at Villa Park tomorrow.

The 26-goal frontman picked up a knee injury in the Premiership encounter with the Gunners last Sunday, which swelled up when he reported for international duty with Holland the following day.

Dutch coach Dick Advocaat left the former PSV Eindhoven forward out of the goalless draw with France and suggested van Nistelrooy would be fit for this weekend’s game.

Ferguson though is fearing the worst and with Louis Saha cup-tied and Diego Forlan not due to return from World Cup duty with Uruguay until later this afternoon, his options are severely restricted.

“Ruud is a serious doubt,” said Ferguson.

“It is looking very doubtful for him at the moment. All we can do is hope there will be a change over the next 24 hours.

“It would be a bitter blow for us if he was to miss out because he is the man who can win us the game.

“We do have plenty of players who can replace him though Diego Forlan will go straight to the team hotel tonight.”

Squad: Carroll, Howard, G Neville, Brown, Silvestre, O’Shea, Solskjaer, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo, Butt, P Neville, Djemba-Djemba, Forlan, Fletcher, Bellion.