Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Javier Hernandez has been lucky
to emerge from a wild tackle by Ashley Cole unscathed - but
revealed skipper Nemanja Vidic is no nearer a comeback from his
calf problem.
The Manchester United manager feared the worst when Hernandez
was caught by Cole during the second half of Sunday's 3-1 win over
Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Hernandez limped off and it appeared he was set for an extended
period on the sidelines.
However, the Mexican returned to training on Thursday and is in
contention for Saturday's trip to Stoke.
"Hernandez is very lucky," Ferguson said.
"At the time he had no feeling in the leg. There was numbness
and we thought there might have been some nerve damage.
"But he trained very well on Thursday and is available for
Saturday."
Ferguson branded Cole's challenge reckless in the aftermath of
the game, although referee Phil Dowd decided it was only worthy of
a yellow card.
The only conclusion the Scot could draw from that decision was
the officials did not see it, and he is not entirely sure why his
side did not get a penalty either.
"I am confused," he said. "I don't think the referee could have
seen it.
"It was a spur-of-the-moment challenge by the player, reckless
yes. But I don't know how the referee could have possibly seen it
and the linesman wasn't in any better position.
"I don't know what the rules and regulations say about that when
the ball is out of play - there seems to have been some discussion
about it not being a penalty because the ball was out of play.
"I wasn't aware of that - I don't think anyone was."
Ferguson is equally bemused by the state of Vidic's fitness.
The Serbian limped out of the opening-day win at West Brom with
a calf injury.
At the time, it was estimated Vidic would be out for six
weeks.
However, that deadline is now approaching and the defender is no
nearer a comeback.
"It's slow progress with Nemanja," revealed Ferguson.
"He's not done any training. He is still getting treatment on
the calf.
"Calves can be troublesome. I remember when Bryan Robson had
calf trouble it kept him out for three months.
"Hopefully it's not as long as that, but he's not making any
great progress at the moment."
Ferguson has no intention of joining the army of critics who
have followed the Stoke bandwagon since it arrived in the Premier
League four seasons ago.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was particularly aggrieved when young
midfielder Aaron Ramsey had his leg broken in a meeting with the
Potteries outfit.
Chelsea and Liverpool have also had their struggles, as have
Manchester City. Indeed, the former two have already dropped points
against Tony Pulis' men this season.
That form is in marked contrast to United, who have secured six
straight wins since Stoke came back into the top flight.
Little wonder Ferguson is not fazed by Stoke's unique threat,
not that he feels there is a problem with it anyway.
"I've never criticised it (Stoke's style of play). It's never
been a problem for us.
"Everyone plays to their strengths. There is absolutely nothing
wrong with that.
"You see the progress the team is making. They have signed two
or three players, they are playing European football and having a
right go.
"They have a great attitude and their support is brilliant.
"I love the atmosphere there. If you don't attend to that you
just get engulfed."
