Ruud left on the bench

Ruud van Nistelrooy was again left on the bench by Alex Ferguson as Manchester United looked to complete an eight-day double over Wigan.

Ferguson caused a minor sensation when he left the Dutch striker out of his side for last Sunday’s Carling Cup final but judging by comments from the forward in Holland last week, Van Nistelrooy expected to regain his spot for the north-west derby at the JJB Stadium.