SOCCER: Manchester United head to Blackburn tomorrow looking to extend their winning sequence to nine with manager Alex Ferguson warning - "beware the Old Trafford old-boys". Victory at Ewood Park could see United hit the Premiership's top spot for the first time this season, yet three familiar faces will be out to ensure it does not happen.
While Keith Gillespie was largely an untapped talent when he quit United, the remaining duo were pivotal figures in the club's greatest campaign. Between them Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke struck 51 goals in United's magnificent 1998-99 treble season.
And though the United boss has no regrets about allowing the high-profile duo to depart within the last 12 months, he admits the decision is bound to have created a desire for revenge. "There is bound to be an extra incentive for both of them," said Ferguson. "Over the years there have been plenty of players who have come back and scored against us, going right back to Peter Davenport and Norman Whiteside in my early days here.
Ferguson's faith in Yorke started to fade when he highlighted a perceived lack of desire in the former Aston Villa man. He was already an outsider when he turned down the offer of a move to Middlesbrough last season.
The breakdown in communication was terminal and one senses there is little love lost between the pair. Cole though was a different story, with Ferguson believing the former England striker was unable to accept life as anything other than a first choice.
"Andy always found it difficult to handle being a substitute, even when we were taking a long-term view and resting him," said the United chief. "I couldn't see him and Ruud van Nistelrooy becoming a partnership."
Ferguson will have a fresh face on board for the short trip across Lancashire, with skipper Roy Keane back in the squad for the first time since August. The Corkman has hardly played a match this season but still dominated the back pages for the early part of the campaign, having been hit with a record £150,000 fine and a five-match ban after comments made in his controversial autobiography.
Amid the furore, he was also sent off in the third Premiership game of the season at Sunderland when he elbowed former international colleague Jason McAteer in the head.
Keane's subsequent decision to enter hospital for a hip operation led to accusations he was avoiding punishment because he wasn't fit enough to play when his FA ban was imposed.
Keane will probably have to settle for a bench role after his reserve team outing
against Newcastle on Thursday night.
"Roy did very well and will travel to Blackburn with us," said Ferguson. "He eased himself into it during the first half, then increased his part in the game during the second. It was an excellent 90 minutes."
Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have recovered from the minor niggles which kept them out of Tuesday's League Cup win over Chelsea, placing a doubt over Diego Forlan and David Beckham keeping their place in the team. Ferguson also confirmed £29.3 million signing Rio Ferdinand will return to training this weekend.
However, the news on Nicky Butt's recovery from the ankle injury is not so clear. Butt had indicated he could be fit for the St Stephen's Day trip to Middlesbrough - but his manager says: "Nicky is just a little bit behind Rio," he said. "Some days he feels good, the next day he goes back a bit."
Meanwhile, Ferguson's winter spending plans will not be affected by confirmation the United will have to wait until April 2005 for the final instalment of the £16 million fee for Dutch defender Jaap Stam. United announced yesterday that an agreement had been reached with cash-strapped Serie A title-chasers Lazio for the outstanding £12 million, which was due to be paid this summer.
Blackburn v Man Utd Sunday, 2.0
(On TV: Premiership Plus )
