Sir
Alex Ferguson believes Ryan
Giggs' month-long absence with a broken arm has
provided him with the rest required to be a major weapon for
Manchester United in the title run-in.
Giggs will sit out Sunday's Premier League encounter with Fulham
but is expected to make his comeback against Liverpool at Old
Trafford seven days later.
''Ryan will be fit for the Liverpool game,'' confirmed Ferguson.
''His performances in training have been fantastic. He is getting
another plaster on today but we will be getting a fresh player
back, which is good.
''For weeks we had to try and work out the best games for him to
play in, in terms of freshness and rest. Now he has had a month's
rest.''
Meanwhile, Ferguson insists he is ready to let
Owen Hargreaves
take the next step on his road to recovery.
Hargreaves was due to play in a reserve team encounter with
Manchester City and end a near-18 month absence following a double
knee operation. But Manchester United officials confirmed on
Wednesday night that the England star would not be involved, as it
interfered with his training regime.
It seemed a strange explanation. And Ferguson has clarified the
situation, pointing out that Hargreaves in fact went to see a
specialist for the latest update. However, as the verdict was
positive, Ferguson believes an end to Hargreaves' lengthy spell on
the sidelines is in sight.
''Owen went to see a specialist yesterday,'' said the United
boss. ''There is nothing wrong and the idea is for him to play in
the next game. He has to play in the next game because he is ready
to play.''
United's reserve side is next due in action on Thursday, when
they entertain Burnley at Altrincham's Moss Lane ground.