Tweet
<P class=big>Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed a number of his Manchester United stars have returned from international duty with minor knocks.
The Scottish tactician had the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha on show for their respective countries in Euro 2008 qualifiers and while Saha is fit, Ronaldo is doubtful to play at The JJB on Saturday.
"We've got a couple of bumps and bruises we have to attend to. Hopefully they'll be fit for tomorrow," explained Ferguson ahead of the trip to Wigan.
"(Saha's) fine. He had 60 minutes on Wednesday night. He's fit. No problem.
"Some players come back injured and you have to accept that. They are internationals there is nothing you can do about that. Hopefully we'll have a team to get us a result.
"We're in a good position, top of the league, and we want the stay there. The form of the team, in particularly in the last game against Newcastle, is superb.
"In that game, the intensity of the performance for the 90 minutes was excellent, it never stopped."
Ronaldo is more of a worry for Ferguson and the experienced tactician is hoping swelling in his ankle will have reduced sufficiently for him to line up against The Latics.
"He got an ankle knock in the second half (against Poland). He's getting treatment today," he added. "We want to give him a chance if we possibly can.
"He kept on for more than 30 minutes with the ankle injury which although it was not a serious ankle injury, none the less playing with it has created a bit of swelling and we have to try and get rid of that."
United welcomed back Ryan Giggs to training this week following a hamstring strain, although the trip to Wigan, live on Sky Sports 1, is likely to come too soon for the Welsh wizard.
Ferguson is not ruling out Giggs playing some role against The Latics, but believes Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash with Copenhagen will be a more realistic target.
"He's trained the last few days," said Ferguson. "It may be a bit early and with a game on Tuesday I think there is more of a focus on that.
"He's certainly travelling with us tomorrow. It's good to have him back."
Meanwhile, The Red Devils boss is urging England fans to give Steve McClaren more time at the helm of The Three Lions following their disappointing midweek loss to Croatia.
"The important thing is to let him get on with it. I think he's got the ability," he added on his former United assistant.
"I think once again you get an over-reaction. It becomes pretty abusive.
"He's young and he's got the experience of Terry Venables with him. To think you're going to go to Croatia and win there easily, I don't know what world you're in."
Ferguson is also confident Wayne Rooney will break out of his slump sooner rather than later as every game he plays is a step in the right direction.
"I don't think he played badly on Wednesday. I've spoken to the lads and that and I think he did well.
"He's gradually getting his game back and it'll come back. There are no fears about that.
"You can train as much as you like, but in terms of getting timing and the tempo of your game right there's only one thing that helps that and itis playing games.
"I'm confident he'll get that very, very soon. What we need is a bit of patience and wait.
"Every defender in the country knows the boy will come to life. He just needs games."
The Scottish tactician had the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha on show for their respective countries in Euro 2008 qualifiers and while Saha is fit, Ronaldo is doubtful to play at The JJB on Saturday.
"We've got a couple of bumps and bruises we have to attend to. Hopefully they'll be fit for tomorrow," explained Ferguson ahead of the trip to Wigan.
"(Saha's) fine. He had 60 minutes on Wednesday night. He's fit. No problem.
"Some players come back injured and you have to accept that. They are internationals there is nothing you can do about that. Hopefully we'll have a team to get us a result.
"We're in a good position, top of the league, and we want the stay there. The form of the team, in particularly in the last game against Newcastle, is superb.
"In that game, the intensity of the performance for the 90 minutes was excellent, it never stopped."
Ronaldo is more of a worry for Ferguson and the experienced tactician is hoping swelling in his ankle will have reduced sufficiently for him to line up against The Latics.
"He got an ankle knock in the second half (against Poland). He's getting treatment today," he added. "We want to give him a chance if we possibly can.
"He kept on for more than 30 minutes with the ankle injury which although it was not a serious ankle injury, none the less playing with it has created a bit of swelling and we have to try and get rid of that."
United welcomed back Ryan Giggs to training this week following a hamstring strain, although the trip to Wigan, live on Sky Sports 1, is likely to come too soon for the Welsh wizard.
Ferguson is not ruling out Giggs playing some role against The Latics, but believes Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash with Copenhagen will be a more realistic target.
"He's trained the last few days," said Ferguson. "It may be a bit early and with a game on Tuesday I think there is more of a focus on that.
"He's certainly travelling with us tomorrow. It's good to have him back."
Meanwhile, The Red Devils boss is urging England fans to give Steve McClaren more time at the helm of The Three Lions following their disappointing midweek loss to Croatia.
"The important thing is to let him get on with it. I think he's got the ability," he added on his former United assistant.
"I think once again you get an over-reaction. It becomes pretty abusive.
"He's young and he's got the experience of Terry Venables with him. To think you're going to go to Croatia and win there easily, I don't know what world you're in."
Ferguson is also confident Wayne Rooney will break out of his slump sooner rather than later as every game he plays is a step in the right direction.
"I don't think he played badly on Wednesday. I've spoken to the lads and that and I think he did well.
"He's gradually getting his game back and it'll come back. There are no fears about that.
"You can train as much as you like, but in terms of getting timing and the tempo of your game right there's only one thing that helps that and itis playing games.
"I'm confident he'll get that very, very soon. What we need is a bit of patience and wait.
"Every defender in the country knows the boy will come to life. He just needs games."