United Duo Ruled Out of England Game

Wayne Rooney and Tom Cleverley have been ruled out of England's friendly against Netherlands on Wednesday by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson revealed Rooney will not be available for the match due to a throat infection while also confirming midfielder Cleverley will be absent.

"They'll be out,'' he told Sky Sports News after his side's Premier League win at Norwich on Sunday.

"Wayne has still not recovered from his throat infection, so hopefully we'll get him ready for next Sunday, when we have a big game at White Hart Lane.''

Both players had been rated doubtful for this weekend's match, Rooney suffering from illness and Cleverley reportedly struggling with a recurrence of his recent ankle injury.

Neither featured in United's match-day squad at Carrow Road, where Ryan Giggs' added-time goal earned the Red Devils a 2-1 win.

The news is a blow for caretaker England boss Stuart Pearce, who on Saturday lost Rooney's probable strike partner Darren Bent when he injured his ankle playing for Aston Villa at Wigan.

Nani: I am Not at My Best Now

Manchester United winger Nani has admitted he still has plenty of work to do before he reaches his top form again.

Nani, 25, returned from almost a month on the sidelines with a foot injury against Ajax last week, and completed the full 90 minutes of the 2-1 return encounter with the Dutch giants at Old Trafford on Thursday.

However, only sporadically did he sparkle, clipping the bar with one second-half effort as United narrowly avoided an embarrassing Europa League exit.

With Antonio Valencia sidelined by a hamstring injury sustained in Amsterdam and Ashley Young also battling back to fitness after a knee injury, United could do with Nani at his best ahead of successive away games at Norwich and Tottenham.

Yet the Portugal international feels he is still some way short of requirements and that only hard work is the answer.

''It has been difficult to get the consistency,'' he said. ''I am getting there but I need more minutes.

''I will work hard to come back because we need every player. Just now I am not at my best but I will try to recover my form as quickly as possible.''

Cleverley Injury Scare

Tom Cleverley is a doubt for both Manchester United and England after he was sent for a scan on an injury he picked up in Thursday's game against Ajax.

The midfielder, who was returning to action after four months out with a foot injury, came off after 60 minutes of the Europa League game, being replaced by Paul Scholes in a 2-1 defeat that nevertheless saw United progress to the next round.

Cleverley was hoping to pick up his first England cap next week, after being named in Stuart Pearce's squad for England's friendly against Netherlands at Wembley. While Ferguson does not believe the problem is serious, the desire to prevent another long-term lay-off may force the 22-year-old to miss United's Premier League game against Norwich this weekend - and the international friendly at Wembley in midweek.

"He got a knock," Ferguson said. "We sent him for a scan but we don't think it's serious."

Cleverley knows Pearce from his time in the England Under-21s, and had been hoping to make an impression on the international stage ahead of the forthcoming European Championship.

"I don't really listen to what people are saying. I just go out and play my football," Cleverley said recently. "If I can find some good form from now until the end of the season, I would be more than happy to be involved in the European Championship.

"I am not sure whether it is a good time though. I know Stuart Pearce quite well from my time with the Under-21s. He is a good manager. Hopefully I will be involved."

Giggs Marks Milestone with Late Winner

Ryan Giggs marked his 900th appearance for Manchester United with a stoppage-time winner as valiant Norwich were beaten 2-1 at Carrow Road.

Paul Scholes had given the visitors an early lead with a close-range header.

The Canaries rallied and forced David de Gea into a string of fine saves before the United number one was finally beaten with seven minutes left when Grant Holt fired home from 12 yards.

United, though, were not to be denied as they poured forwards in the closing stages and were eventually rewarded when Giggs stabbed home from close range before celebrating wildly in front of the travelling fans.

Sir Alex Ferguson had recalled his regulars following their midweek defeat by Ajax in the Europa League, looking to close back up on leaders Manchester City, although England striker Wayne Rooney missed out because of a virus.

The Canaries have consolidated themselves well on a first return to the top flight in the six seasons since last facing the Red Devils here, securing back-to-back promotions up from npower League One under Paul Lambert.

Only three teams have won at Carrow Road in the Premier League this season, and it was another positive start by the hosts as Simeon Jackson looked to get in between centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans.

United, though, soon settled and retained possession well, and were in front on seven minutes.

Nani swung the ball over from the right, and it bounced through the six-yard box to the far post, where Scholes nodded it past John Ruddy.

Bradley Johnson was shown a yellow card by referee Andre Marriner for a crunching tackle on the Portuguese winger, which on another day could well have been red.

On 15 minutes, it was almost 2-0 when another flowing United counter opened up the Norwich defence before Danny Welbeck's scuffed shot was touched wide at full stretch by Ruddy.

Norwich finally created a meaningful chance on 28 minutes, Kyle Naughton chipped a throughball into the right side of the United penalty box. Anthony Pilkington took it in his stride with a sublime first touch before knocking his shot goalwards, with De Gea making a fine reaction save at the near post.

Javier Hernandez should have done better when played clear into the Norwich penalty area, but failed to trouble Ruddy with a tame effort straight at the keeper.

At the other end, De Gea was producing a top-drawer display as he plucked a glancing header from Holt out of the air after the Norwich captain turned Pilkington's right-wing cross goalwards.

United and Juve Want Gotze

Manchester United and Juventus have expressed an interest in signing Borussia Dortmund starlet Mario Gotze.

Germany midfielder Gotze, 19, has become one of European football's most talked about prospects since he broke into the German side's first team in 2009, and is continually being linked with interest from a number of high profile clubs.

Gotze's agent, Dirk Hebel, has claimed that he has spoken to some prospective bidders, with United and Juve among the interested parties.

"I think in Europe all the top clubs are interested in Mario," Hebel told Calcio Mercato. "I can confirm that I have had contact with Juventus and Manchester United, but not only them.

"I don't know if he'll go away after this season - you should ask Borussia - but I think that they will not let him leave for less than €40 million. He still is very happy at Dortmund, though now he is injured."

Eriksen Delighted with Fergie Praise

Christian Eriksen has said he is honoured to receive praise from Sir Alex Ferguson but reiterated that he is happy to continue his development at Ajax.

Denmark international Eriksen, 20, has long been linked with a move to England or Spain with Old Trafford regularly touted as a potential destination, and he had the chance to face Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

United came away from the match with a 2-0 victory, but Eriksen was still able to make a positive impression on Ferguson.

"He's a good player - a typical Ajax player who is good on the ball - but we already knew that," he told TV3+ after the game. "We have many young players at the club, but we are always looking for talent. It's impossible to predict."

Eriksen said he was flattered to receive a compliment from Ferguson, even if he plans to remain at the Amsterdam ArenA for the time being.

"It is great to hear and an honour to hear him saying positive things about me, especially as it's not just come from any old manager," he told Ekstra Bladet after the match. "It's something I have to get used to. I would say that he is one of the game's greatest managers."

Asked whether he would be interested in a move to Old Trafford, he said: "I want to play for a big club at some point, of course, but right now I am not dreaming of anything so big. My dream is for now only about Ajax."

Man Utd down Dutch Champs

Ashley Young's first Manchester United goal since September set the Red Devils on their way to a comfortable win over over Ajax in Amsterdam tonight.

The last time Young found the net was a last-gasp face-saver against Basel at Old Trafford, in a match which Sir Alex Ferguson still looks back on as the draw that cost his team their place in the Champions League.

And, after a poor first-half, the visitors roused themselves after the break and Young's 58th-minute winner came at the end of their most threatening spell, the England man tucking home after Nani's cross had been deflected into his path.

Javier Hernandez added a second six minutes from time to secure a result that will allow Ferguson to take a pragmatic approach to next week's second leg, which, unlike tonight, will be followed four days later by a crucial Premier League game, against high flying Norwich at Carrow Road.

As Tom Cleverley was handed his European debut after playing just twice since the beginning of September and not at all for over three months, Nani and Phil Jones back after four match absences and Ashley Young only just returned from a pre-Christmas injury, it was perhaps no surprise United were so far off the pace.

Too many first touches and passes went astray.

Scholes may Play On

Sir Alex Ferguson says there is no prospect of Paul Scholes making an England comeback at Euro 2012 but feels he is very capable of playing for Manchester United next season.

Having retired at the end of the 2010-11 campaign, Scholes made a shock return to Old Trafford in January and has since made seven appearances.

Such has been his impact that Harry Redknapp, widely expected to take charge of England this summer, recently compared him to Xavi and Andres Iniesta and said the 37-year-old would be a great asset to his country at Euro 2012.

Ferguson feels that idea is highly doubtful, but he maintains that Scholes could play on another campaign.

"Do you really honestly believe that? I don't think there's any chance," Ferguson said. "His reason for refusing last time was that it was late in the day and he felt that it was fair for the players who had got them there to be involved.

"To play for England after eight years would be a big step. I think Paul will be concentrating [on United] - if he decides to go on of course. That is not settled yet, but with the form he is showing at the moment, there is no reason for me to think he couldn't do another season."

Ferguson also revealed he attempted to talk Scholes out of retirement last summer, but the midfielder decided instead to take on a role coaching the club's reserve side.

"I said to Paul he could play 25 to 30 games for me this season but he felt it was not enough and decided to retire," Ferguson said. "Although there are a few players who by looking after themselves can get into their 30s really easily, I felt I was being sensible and honest with Paul because that was the future.

"When he decided to come back I was delighted. He started training very hard in the couple of months before he came to see me because he had obviously realised he had made a mistake. He has come back refreshed and enthusiastic. He brings order and class to the team. Barcelona talk about Xavi the way we talk about Scholes."

Evra Rues United's Injury 'Voodoo'

Patrice Evra believes Manchester United have been cursed with injury problems this season, but has praised the side's character for battling on regardless.

United have seen their talismanic captain Nemanja Vidic ruled out for the season with knee ligament damage, while the likes of Anders Lindegaard, Darren Fletcher, Tom Cleverley and Michael Owen are all currently unavailable.

Despite their injury woes, which Evra has dubbed a "voodoo", the Premier League champions are within touching distance of table-toppers Manchester City, and the France left-back feels their position is testament to their spirit.

Evra said in the Daily Mirror: "I don't know what is happening. I think someone is doing some voodoo on us! It's amazing how many injuries we've had. I see many teams complaining about the injuries they have but, for us, it has been amazing.

"To lose a player like Nemanja Vidic for the season ... yet we've coped with that. I think to get so close to Manchester City, given the injuries we have had, shows we have really good spirit in the team.

"That's the most important thing and that's the culture of the club - no matter what happens, we don't like to have excuses. I just say 'Well done' to every player but the job is not finished. The most important part is still to come."

Mancini Wary of United Potential

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is of the opinion that it is pointless to start comparing his side's remaining fixtures with rivals United, because Sir Alex Ferguson's men are capable of winning every game from now until the end of the season.

City have established a two-point lead over their neighbours with 14 games remaining in the Premier League season, moving ahead over the weekend when United could only draw at Chelsea.

The league leaders' title run-in only sees them travel to one of the top flight's perennial top four challengers, with City heading to Arsenal in April. By contrast United must visit Tottenham, in addition to an away trip to City themselves.

Mancini pays little attention to such details, though, insisting United have the quality to win every game they play. As a result, the Italian only demands that his own side do likewise.

"It is important that we stay top and don't think about the other teams," Mancini said ahead of this weekend's trip to Aston Villa.

"Manchester United can win all their games - they are strong like us. For this reason I don't think we can think about the other teams. "It is important to be at the top at the moment - this is very important," he said in the Daily Star.

"We will have a difficult game in Birmingham but if we have the same attitude that we had on Saturday against Fulham we will do well."

De Gea Eyeing Greatness

David De Gea intends to remain at Manchester United for "many years" and is determined to be remembered as one of the club's top goalkeepers.

De Gea, 21, signed for United from Atletico Madrid last summer for £18.9 million, but has failed to impress at Old Trafford following a number of high-profile errors.

The Spaniard, though, has shown flashes of quality, the most recent of which came at Stamford Bridge on Sunday when he made a fine late stop to deny Chelsea in their 3-3 draw.

De Gea said: "I have every intention of spending many years at Manchester United. I want to go on to become a great United keeper and to earn and deserve respect. I want to help United make history."

Of his transition from La Liga to the Premier League, De Gea said: "I think it is fair to say La Liga and the Premier League are the two best leagues in the world.

"But it's well known the style of play here is rather more physical and, as a goalkeeper, you have to be right on it. You have to be attentive all through the match.

"The players coming at you can shoot from any angle and from distance. You need to be aware you might get a shot from distance at any time.

"Having said that, there's a lot of crosses from the sides, a lot of high balls and aerial play. So you have to be able to get in there and block, interfere and stop shots being taken.

"I knew when I was coming to United this was the style of play. So I was pretty much ready and I was already confident."

Suarez Expects Old Trafford Hostility

Luis Suarez is determined to put the race row with Manchester United's Patrice Evra behind him, but is expecting an unpleasant welcome when Liverpool travel to Old Trafford this weekend.

Suarez did not offer an apology to Evra after being slapped with an eight-match ban for being found guilty of racial abuse during a match at Anfield in October.

Ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash in Manchester, Suarez claims he has now moved on from the incident and is ready to use any abuse he receives from the United faithful as fuel to boost Liverpool's league position.

"I was not depressed at all [during suspension]. I knew what I did and there is a kind of football law that says 'what happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch and that's the end of the story'," Suarez told Uruguay's Radio Sport 890.

"I know against Man United it is going to be tense because I'm going to face Evra. But I'm used to having fans whistle at me. I hope nothing unusual happens. I'll have to forget what happened for that moment.

"I do know Man United fans are going to try to make me feel uncomfortable. But I have to tell them - they are going to spur me on if they whistle at me."

Show Racism the Red Card chief executive Ged Grebby has suggested Suarez only has himself to blame if he is given a hostile reception at Old Trafford.

"It's important we move on because this has been going on for months now," Grebby told The Telegraph. "I hope Manchester United fans take the moral high ground and they don't boo Suárez, but as an anti-racism campaigner I can understand why they might.

"He made things much worse by the reaction he had [to the FA charge]. If his reaction to it had been, 'I hold my hands up, I said it. I didn't realise it was wrong, but I do now', this whole thing would not have exploded like it has done.

"He should have held his hands up, he didn't do himself any favours refusing to accept he had done anything wrong. I just hope he has learned from it."

Meanwhile, PFA boss Gordon Taylor remains hopeful that a handshake will take place between Suarez and Evra in order to help ease tensions prior to the match.

"I would hope that would take place, that would be a sign that having gone through the situation that those two players would shake hands and we can move on," Taylor told Sky Sports News.

"If they can accept that having paid that penalty, like Suarez has, that you learn from it and move on. That's the only chance we've got, if we can do that. If you keep things festering it will only exacerbate how the problem was initially, and in that way we will be losing the battle."

Bobby Charlton has Minor Surgery

Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton underwent minor surgery on Monday after being taken ill before the Laureus World Sports Awards.

The 74-year-old World Cup-winner had been due to receive an award but left London after starting to feel unwell on Sunday and needed a minor operation, understood to be to remove a gallstone.

A statement from Laureus read: "Sir Bobby Charlton was unable to receive the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award in person at the Laureus World Sports Awards in London this evening.

"Sir Bobby felt unwell on Sunday and returned to Manchester earlier today for minor surgery.''

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson added: "Sir Bobby is fine, but it was felt he should go back to Manchester. He is very annoyed not to be here to receive this Award.

"I'll be taking the statuette back to Old Trafford for him. He loves the work he does for Laureus and I know how delighted he is to have received this tribute.''

"It was already a very emotional night for Bobby. This is the 54th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, when we lost eight of our young players. Through that time, Bobby has kept his fantastic humility, and that makes him very special to me.

"Manchester United is Bobby's life. He came to the club as a 15-year-old boy and he's been with us ever since - he is one of our ambassadors now. In my own 25 years at the club, Bobby has supported every step I've taken.

"At the beginning, they were very small steps. Later, they became big steps. But without his support, I don't know where I'd have been."

Fuming Fergie to Escape FA Action

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will reportedly escape disciplinary action from the Football Association following his strong criticism of linesman Darren Cann after Sunday's 3-3 draw at Chelsea.

Ferguson took the opportunity during his post-match interview to launch into a scathing attack on Cann, who the United boss blamed for missing two first-half decisions. It was pointed out by Ferguson that Cann had twice given penalties against United at Old Trafford, but failed to see one in favour of the Red Devils at Chelsea.

The verbal attack by Ferguson was aimed solely at the linesman, with the United boss clarifying, "I don't blame [referee] Howard Webb, I blame the assistant." However, the Scot is expected to avoid any punishment from the FA for his actions.

Ferguson insisted Cann should have advised Webb to send off Gary Cahill for a first-half challenge on Danny Welbeck. He also wanted a penalty for a tug of the shirt on Ashley Young.

"It was a sending off," Ferguson told Sky Sports. "The linesman has given two penalty kicks against us at Old Trafford in the last two years, one against Arsenal and one against Liverpool - from 45 yards away, but he can't see that? I don't blame Howard Webb, I blame the assistant.

"There was a pull on Ashley Young, in front of the linesman again, and he doesn't give it. Yet he gives them at Old Trafford. I don't understand it, I don't know where they get them from.

"His (Young's) jersey is pulled. Was he diving? If it's a pull of the shirt he's not diving obviously. The two penalties in the second half were justified, but we could have had four."

Ferguson has history with the FA in relation to the fixture at Chelsea, having been given a five-match ban following last season's encounter. However, on this occasion the FA does not believe he called into question the integrity of the official, so punishment will be avoided.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney believes United's comeback from three goals down at Chelsea, where they eventually drew 3-3, will damage the confidence of league leaders Manchester City.

"It can have a psychological impact, for sure," Rooney said. "City will have been watching and probably went out at 3-0 thinking the game was over but we would like to think they saw how we fought back and saw our team spirit.

"We showed how hard we work for each other and when we are like that we are very difficult to beat. Most teams would lie down at 3-0 but we fought well. Even if we had lost 3-2 at least we could have come off and said we gave our all."

VDS: De Gea Must Deal with Pressure

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has told David De Gea he must learn to "deal with'' the pressure of being the club's No.1.

De Gea, 21, arrived at Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid in an £18 million deal last summer following Van der Sar's retirement and was heralded as the Dutchman's successor.

However, a shaky start to life in the Premier League has led many to question whether the Spaniard will ever be able to handle the physical nature of English football.

De Gea recently appeared to lose the faith of manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was using Anders Lindegaard as his first-choice goalkeeper prior to a recent injury, though he returned to the starting line-up for the Red Devils' 3-3 draw at Chelsea on Sunday.

Van der Sar says he can understand the difficulties of adjusting to life in the Premier League, but insists De Gea needs to quickly adapt if he is going to establish himself as United's leading goalkeeper.

"It's always difficult if you're coming into a new club and new league, especially the English one," Van der Sar said. "It's a very demanding one, can be a very tough one.

"He has to deal with that. They paid a lot of money for him and he has to come through that.''

Van der Sar watched on as former deputy Lindegaard appeared to usurp De Gea as No.1 last month and the Dutchman says his old team-mate is gutted to have been cut down by an ankle problem.

"I spoke to Anders and he's disappointed, of course, that he's injured at the moment because he's really been magnificent," Van der Sar said.

Even if De Gea continues to struggle, though, Van der Sar inists there is no chance of him following in the footsteps of Paul Scholes and coming out of retirement.

"I got a few text messages from friends saying, 'What about you?','' Van der Sar added. "[But] I'm quite happy at the moment. There's no doubt in my mind."

The former Netherlands captain says he was not surprised at Scholes' U-turn, having spoken to the midfielder last year.

He said: "I was at Carrington and he was watching a training session and I said, 'So, how do you like it?'. He said, 'Not really. I miss it'. He was still there doing his work as an assistant coach with the reserve team so it was probably a little bit easier to get back in.''

United Boosted by Returning Quartet

Sir Alex Ferguson has been boosted by the news that Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and Nani are all available for Manchester United's Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday, with Tom Cleverley in the squad for the first time since October.

Rooney and Nani missed United's FA Cup defeat to Liverpool and league win over Stoke in midweek with foot injuries but returned to training this week and are expected to start.

Cleverley, who has been out of action since October, will travel with the squad but is unlikely to feature. Meanwhile Young, also out with a foot injury since December, is available for selection.

"We're a bit better in terms of injuries," Ferguson said. "We hope Wayne Rooney, Nani, Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young will all be in the squad. It's more likely Tom will play against Chelsea Reserves on Monday, but he'll travel. Rooney and Nani have trained for the last two days."

However, Ferguson confirmed Anders Lindegaard would be sidelined for at least four weeks with an ankle injury. David De Gea is expected to return after missing the midweek win over Stoke.

"It looks like Lindegaard will be out for at least four weeks, maybe five to six, with ankle ligament damage," Ferguson said. "We don't know what his recovery from injuries is like, so we'll have to wait and see, but I would have thought at least four weeks."

Ferguson's Feud with Hansen Continues

Sir Alex Ferguson has urged former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen to be more careful with his words, after taking offence to the BBC pundit's recent comments about Manchester United.

Ferguson, was left angered by Hansen's recent claim that United have not impressed for the past 18 months, with the Scot expressing his outrage in the matchday programme for Stoke's visit to Old Trafford on Tuesday.

It is believed United officials have contacted the BBC to point out Hansen's offending words, which included the statement: "By their own standards, United have been woeful for the past 18 months. I can't recall Sir Alex Ferguson's team being so bad for two successive seasons.''

Hansen, who won eight league titles and three European Cup during a 14-year career with Liverpool, has since tried to defend himself, the former Scotland international insisting that his words were not meant as an insult and that he believes United are the team to beat in this season's Premier league title race.

However, that did not appease Ferguson, who returned to the topic in his Friday press conference ahead of Sunday's crunch class with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

"He tried to change it [what he said] by saying it was about our away form,'' Ferguson said. "I have read the transcript of what he said and he said we were woeful for the last year and a half. He didn't mention away games. He's dug himself a grave really.''

Ferguson is convinced Hansen made his comments in a direct attempt to rile United ahead of last week's FA Cup tie with Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.

"He's got a responsible position in the role he has in football [as a pundit on the BBC's Match of the Day TV programme],'' Ferguson said. "It's obvious to me that he said what he said in the week before we played Liverpool and I can understand that - he's a former Liverpool player and Kenny (Dalglish) is his pal.

"That's no problem with me. He's maybe tried to shake things up a bit but he should be more responsible really. When you think about it we won the league by nine points last season, made it to a European final and were in the FA Cup semi-final - we couldn't have been that woeful.''

Lindegaard Facing Four Weeks Out

Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard is expected to miss around four weeks with an ankle injury.

Lindegaard, who has recently moved ahead of David De Gea in the pecking order at Old Trafford, damaged ankle ligaments in training on Monday and appears unlikely to feature for another month.

With De Gea ruled out through illness, Sir Alex Ferguson handed Ben Amos his Premier League debut in Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Stoke, and the 21-year-old is desperate to prove he is ready for more first-team action.

"I've been waiting a long time for an opportunity," Amos said. "I'd like to think I've made the most of it. I feel I've been ready to play at this level all season.

"All I can do is go out and do the best I can, and put pressure on the other goalkeepers in training and try and get a chance in the games, but it's the manager's decision at the end of the day."

Former Denmark international Morten Bruun believes the injury could not have come at a worse time for Lindegaard.

"Lindegaard has suffered an injury at a time when he is the first-choice goalkeeper, so he must be feeling very bitter about it," he told Sporten. "This is a great opportunity for De Gea to reassert himself as first-choice goalkeeper. It's a chance he wouldn't have had if Lindegaard was fit."

Tomasz Kuszczak has also been reportedly been given extra training sessions, but De Gea is expected to be fit in time to face Chelsea on Sunday.