12:45 PM
Pujan Aryal
Manchester United's injury list is reducing at the ideal time with defenders Wes Brown and John O'Shea and midfielder Anderson all available to face Fulham at Old Trafford.
The return of this trio will give Sir Alex Ferguson invaluable options as he endeavours to pick two winning teams in the space of four days - a line-up to conquer Mark Hughes' side in the league and then a selection to see off Chelsea in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
That said, the manager will have to make his plans without right-back Rafael for the Fulham match while Darren Fletcher is still overcoming the effects of a virus. Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney will miss the first of two domestic matches - the other being next Saturday's FA Cup semi-final - following his FA-imposed suspension.
"Rafael won't be available for tomorrow but he should be okay for Tuesday," said Sir Alex at his pre-match press conference.
"We sent him for a scan and there's no bruising or ligament damage to his knee. He should be okay for Tuesday.
"Wes Brown and John O'Shea are fit. Anderson played for the reserves last night and is available for tomorrow. Darren Fletcher has put a bit of weight back on which is good. He's progressing not too badly now.
"So bit by bit we're getting players back. It's just a question of what team I play as I have to think about Tuesday. There will be some changes."
Sir Alex knows victory over Fulham is far from a formality. The Cottagers beat Blackpool 3-0 last weekend and are one of the teams who inflicted damage on United's away record earlier in the season.
"Fulham are a team who mirror their manager - they're very hard to beat. We need to perform," said the United manager.
Sir Alex is also hoping or rather expecting the home fans to be on form for the visit of Fulham.
"Our fans were fantastic at Chelsea on Wednesday and they will be at Old Trafford again tomorrow. They know the importance of being united at this time."
Source: manutd.com
Source: manutd.com
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