"If Ruud comes through his training this week without a problem, then we may put him on the bench against Everton," Alex Ferguson told reporters at the weekend. "Ruud comes back on Tuesday and we need to assess how far on he is. The training he has been doing in Holland has been perfect and I am very satisfied with it."
Ruud is quoted in the Mirror as saying, "I have been away from United for a long time. But I'm fit again and hungry to play. I can't wait to get back into training and meet up with my team-mates again. I'm ahead of schedule and I've made good progress with my physio in Holland. I could play in the Champions League game against AC Milan next Wednesday."
And he is looking forward to linking up with Wayne Rooney, "Wayne is fearless and has got a fantastic attitude for a player so young. He has great character and has been playing really well.”
Fergie seems glad that the mini injury crisis is over, "There is some light at the end of the tunnel, because we've also had Alan Smith and Louis Saha out, leaving Wayne Rooney as our only fit striker.”