Rooney set to face Reds

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Wayne Rooney could be fit to start Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie with Liverpool.

Rooney missed Tuesday’s win over Stoke after picking up an ankle injury in the win over West Brom on New Year’s Day.

The England international risked further injury when, after limping off at the Hawthorns, he returned to the field of play to see out the game.

Rooney returned to training on Thursday and he is in line to return against bittler rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

“If it had been serious Wayne would not have come back on last week,” said Ferguson.

“Maybe it was not the right thing to do in terms of getting him ready for Tuesday’s game. But he started work yesterday and we just hope that he will be all right for Sunday.”
Keeper decision

Ferguson is also hopeful of having veteran keeper Edwin van der Sar available for the game after a bout of flu ruled him out of the last two games.

Tomasz Kuszczak has started in the absence of the Dutchman and the Pole will continue in goal if Van der Sar misses out again, even though new signing Anders Lindegaard is now available.

“Lindegaard is available as from today,” added Ferguson.

“Tomasz has performed very well in his two games with us, so it is a luxury.

“Anders has done well training-wise but he has not had any experience of the

English game, so that will have a bearing.

“It depends on whether Edwin is fit of course but I would probably pick Tomasz

in this particular game.”