Big loss: Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has
been out since August
Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged his
injured players to get back to match-fitness for Manchester
United's clash at Anfield when the international break
ends.
United have three players - England duo Chris Smalling and Tom
Cleverley, plus skipper Nemanja Vidic - who have a chance of being
fit for the crucial Premier League visit to Liverpool on October
15.
Vidic has been out since suffering a calf strain in the opening
day triumph at West Brom in August, whilst Smalling and Cleverley
are battling to overcome groin and foot injuries
respectively.
However, Ferguson knows from past experience that merely being
fit is not enough to warrant selection at Anfield. He also believes
players must have an added edge to cope with such a tumultuous
fixture.
'The most important thing is the work they do before the
internationals finish,' Ferguson told MUTV. 'We really want to have
Vidic and Cleverley doing some really strong work, and Smalling
too, that would bring them on to a level that they could play at
Anfield.
'You can't go there with players who are semi-fit or just coming
back from injury. You need players who are fully focused and up to
speed in terms of fitness and sharpness.'
Meanwhile, United midfielder Anderson has set himself a 10-goal
target for the season. Famously, it took the 23-year-old 78
appearances to bag his first United goal. He only got one more in
the next 17 months.
Battling back: Midfielder Tom Cleverley (left) and
defender Chris Smalling (right)
Now, he is on something of a hot streak.
Anderson's header in Saturday's 2-0 win over Norwich at Old
Trafford was his fifth in 11 appearances and helped preserve
United's narrow advantage over Manchester City at the top of the
Premier League.
'One particular aim is to score at least 10
goals,' said the former Porto star. 'I am going to try my very best
to score more.'
With Paul Scholes now retired and watching from
the stands, Anderson has been asked to play a major role for United
by Ferguson this season.
He has now started nine of United's 11 games in
all competitions this season and feels he is benefiting from the
increased exposure.
'You can say it is my best start because I have
never played five or six games consecutively at the beginning of
the season,' he said. 'It's been great to stay in the side and help
make a big contribution.
'I feel like this is my time now. I have trained
well, looked after myself and the boss has given me a chance. It is
important that I take it and show everyone why I am
here.'
