Manchester United Fans Club

Wayne Rooney has pleaded with Sir Alex Ferguson to let him play in Wednesday night’s Carling Cup tie with Coventry at Old Trafford. Under normal circumstances, Rooney would be excused involvement as Ferguson takes the opportunity to give his less experienced players some exposure at senior level.

Rooney is desperate to face Iain Dowie’s men and even has laid claim to the captain’s armband. Rooney is likely to get his wish, even if it is just to get Ferguson a bit of peace. Fellow first-team starts Anderson, Nani and possibly John O’Shea will join Rooney in the cup tie.

However, Owen Hargreaves was not among a list of players Ferguson confirmed will be involved, a firm indication the England is still to recover from a thigh injury suffered in training with the national team three weeks ago.

Tamasz Kuszczak will take over the post from Van der Sar. The Pole hasn’t played in a competitive fixture since 9 May when United drew 0-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Coventry are believed to bringing over 10,000 fans with them to Old Trafford for the cup-tie.

The match will start at 20.00 UK time

Sir Alex Ferguson expects injured full-back Mikael Silvestre to return to action for the champions in March. Initially, Silvestre is tipped to be sidelined for the remainder of the season after a cruciate ligament injury against Everton earlier this month.

However, United boss Ferguson is upbeat about the prospects of the French defender figuring for the club again this season. Silvestre will be back in March during crucial run-in to the Premiership campaign where we really need a fully fit squad to cope with the hefty fixture demand.

Silvestre was operated in France last week and it all went well, and there was no further damage other than the cruciate ligament.

Meanwhile, Ferguson confirmed captain Gary Neville is finally ready to resume full training, having not played for the club since March.

Ferguson added: “Gary will be training with us this week for the first time. It’s pleasing news because it’s been a long time for the lad.

“He’s been unlucky and just had one injury on top of another. It’s just an accumulation of small injuries that has set him back.

“Hopefully he’s now on the mend and we’re looking forward to having him back.”

Wes Brown reveling performance as an interim right-back during Gary Neville’s enforced injury absence has not gone unnoticed. Sir Alex Ferguson is full praised of Brown’s recent outstanding display especially his two best performances against Sporting Lisbon and Chelsea. Manchester United sit second in the Barclays Premier League table, despite a shot-shy start to the season, thanks to a solid defence that has conceded just twice in seven games.

Edwin van der Sar was a virtual spectator in Sunday’s win over Chelsea, and Sir Alex has been delighted with his side’s collective defending. “I must say, in home games this season we’ve done quite a lot, particularly Reading and Sunderland hardly had a shot between them, said Ferguson.

“The team ethic has been good and everyone’s working very hard to win the ball back. Sir Alex is hopeful that his side’s 2-0 triumph over Chelsea - United first two-goal haul since April - will prompt a return to the traditionally goal-laden play United can produce.