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Mail: Sir Alex Ferguson has been handed a major boost as he seeks the second treble success of his glittering career with news that central defender Nemanja Vidic could be fit for the FA Cup and a potential Champions League Final in May.
The Serbian international is recovering ahead of schedule after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Blackburn recently and club medical staff are confident he will be ready and match fit for the FA Cup Final against Chelsea on May 19 and the Champions League Final in Athens four days later, should United beat AC Milan to get there.
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Ryan Giggs has warned Manchester United fans that their side’s swashbuckling style might have to be curtailed as the season enters its final weeks with a potential treble still up for grabs. United edged nearer to their first Premier League title since 2003 with a 2-0 win over struggling Sheffield United on Tuesday but it was a subdued performance when set against the 7-1 thrashing of Roma last week or even the 4-1 rout of Watford in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.
And Giggs expects more of the same in the coming weeks.
“It is not about performances now, it is about winning games,” said the Wales winger, who has featured in all eight previous Premier League triumphs under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“We can’t score four and five every time. I would take 1-0 against Middlesbrough (tomorrow) right now. The key for us is to keep clean sheets, because we will always create a few chances. So, as long as the lads at the back do their job, I am sure we will be okay.”
United’s stretched defensive resources will be replenished when Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea return to the fold tomorrow, three days before the Champions League semi-final first leg against AC Milan.
Ferguson meanwhile, has paid tribute to the burgeoning role of Alan Smith following the striker’s comeback from career-threatening ankle and leg fractures that meant he was making his first Premier League start in 14 months on Tuesday.
“Alan has had a torrid time,” observed Ferguson. “But not only did he work like a beast to recover from the extensive damage, he persevered when it became apparent that despite being declared fit, he still had some way to go to rediscover his previous sharpness and form
“It must have been disheartening to find that everything was taking time to fall into place.
“But he has stuck at it and I am so pleased for him.”
Smith’s form, together with the likelihood Ferguson will attempt to bolster his striking options in the summer, is bound to raise question marks over the future of Louis Saha.
Lauded for his enormous impact at the start of the season, Saha has started just three games since New Year’s Day and is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
After repeatedly being forced to revise an anticipated return date for the former Fulham man, Ferguson appears to be growing exasperated by his failure to appear.
“Louis is still bothered by his hamstring,” admitted the Scot. “I don’t see any quick return there.”
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is weighing up a move for Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.
The Daily Mail says Gudjohnsen is available after a disappointing season in Spain.
The Icelandic international plays a much deeper role than a traditional striker but Ferguson knows that he needs more depth in his squad and is keen to add another player with an imagination to match that of Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes.
Ferguson is a long-standing admirer of the 28-year-old and enquired about him before he left Chelsea for the Nou Camp at the end of last season.
Gudjohnsen was an unused substitute as Barcelona beat Mallorca with a late goal on Sunday and would relish a return to the Premiership.
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Times: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s place in Manchester United folklore was assured the moment he secured the club an historic treble with a last-gasp winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final, and should they repeat the feat this season, the forward may decide that it is an opportune moment to call time on his glorious career.
Solskjaer has another year left on his contract at Old Trafford, but while there remains a strong chance of him seeing it out, the 34-year-old could walk away on a high if United end up winning the Barclays Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League, as they did eight years ago. Whatever his decision, however, the Norwegian is almost certain to retire once he leaves United.
“No,” Solskjaer said yesterday when asked if he could see a future beyond next season. “I’ll most likely stay here [at United]. I have one year left on my contract and I’m aiming to do as well as possible to carry on, but I’ll have to see how I feel. I could suddenly say enough is enough, but I’ll stay here next year in any case.”
Solskjaer’s career looked as good as over last season after almost three years on the side-lines with a succession of ankle and knee injuries, but after a remarkable recovery, the forward has played an important role in United’s push for silverware this term.
Eleven goals in 27 games have convinced Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, that he was right to offer Solskjaer a two-year contract in March last year, but while the forward is convinced that a full season under his belt will stand him in good stead for the next campaign, it remains to be seen if he stays on.
Ferguson is in the market for a new striker this summer, with Klaas Jan Huntelaar, the Ajax and Holland player, Fernando Torres, of Atlético Madrid and Spain, and Eidur Gudjohnsen, the Barcelona forward, all on the manager’s radar, the arrival of any of whom could have a bearing on Solskjaer’s decision “I’m almost certain I’ll be better next season,” he said. “Then I’ll have this season behind me after two or three years out. I’ll be able to play at a higher level.”
