Cristiano Ronaldo could make a shock return for United
in the next few days after Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he may take
the winger with him to Anfield.
Wednesday's Champions League Group E opener against Villarreal at
Old Trafford might be a safer bet, but either way the news is
a significant and surprising boost to United as some reports had
suggested last season's 42-goal hero would be out of action until
October.
The Portuguese winger has been sidelined since undergoing a
successful ankle operation in Amsterdam at the start of July.
However, his rehab work in Manchester has gone so well in
recent weeks that his inclusion in Sir Alex's XI is now close.
Sir Alex told MUTV on Friday morning: "Ronaldo
is training now, he's with the first team. He's come on leaps and
bounds and I may take him with us tomorrow, who knows? But he's
more likely to be involved next week.
"I think we mentioned a couple of weeks ago he was making
rapid progress in terms of overcoming the injury problem he
had and the training he's been doing with the physios and Tony
Strudwick the fitness coach.
"He's been making great strides in the direction towards
first-team football."