THIS STILL ISN'T SORTED

The denials of a bust up last week are hardly convincing. Fergie says:

“I don't know who Ruud talks to, but he denies he talks to anybody. He did say he didn't feel sharp in Porto - three days later, you have to ask yourself, would he feel any sharper at Fulham?

"But he is fresh, has had a ten-day break now and has been over in Holland for a family bereavement, and is ready to perform.

"I think he would agree that in our game strikers are the one area you would want to try and freshen up."

Ruud himself said:

“I hadn't played for a while so I felt good and we have reached the semi-finals now so that's a big game for us this season.

"Sometimes managers and players disagree about needing a rest because I always want to play, which doesn't mean I always have to play.

"It's a shame I didn't play (at Fulham) that's what I thought. I played the most games of all the squad this season and deep down I probably agree with him but it's not nice to be rested.”

Fergie on his attacking optioins:

"We may be a bit depleted defensively but we have to make sure we provide something of an attacking threat.

"Hopefully we will get enough goals to edge home, even if it means winning games 5-4 [that wouldn’t be much good on Tuesday though, would it?].

"We have got good attacking options, with all our attackers fit.

"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is back in the frame. He has had a good week in training and we didn't play him in the reserves on Thursday because he is one player who at some point of the game can win it for you.

"He has a fantastic ability to come off the bench and win a game for you. We have missed him this season because he was developing in that wide right position very well last season, understanding the role - and his movement and crossing were terrific.

"He had some really good performances last year - against Liverpool, against Newcastle, against Arsenal at Highbury.

"So it's been a blow but hopefully he's on his way back and he is still young enough to get a few years out of him.”

On Fortune’s bad luck:

"He twisted his knee in a training session on Wednesday and was to be operated on last night for a cartilage.

"Sometimes with a cartilage you can get them back in three weeks maybe - hopefully we can do that.

"The lad has been playing terrific - he has done a great job for us.”