MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Robin van Persie will be fit for Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Real Madrid.
The Dutch forward sustained a hip injury during the Premier League match with Queens Park Rangers last time out but the Red Devils were always confident the ex-Arsenal man would recover in time for the last-16 second-leg.
And the 71-year-old has assured fans that, despite initial fears, the striker will be available for both visits of Norwich on Saturday and then Jose Mourinho’s side on Tuesday.
“Robin van Persie has trained this week – he’s available for tomorrow. His hip was very tender but he’s okay now,” Ferguson told reporters on Friday.
The United boss was less optimistic about Phil Jones’ chances of making the crucial European fixture, suggesting he is unlikely to make the game, but did rule him out of the match with the Canaries at Old Trafford.
“Phil Jones starts running today,” Ferguson said. “He’s got a fight on his hands to be ready for Tuesday (Real Madrid) but we’ll give him every chance. He won’t be available for tomorrow (Norwich).
The current Premier League leaders go into the game with Chris Hughton’s men a massive 12 points ahead of Manchester City in the title race. Looking ahead to the match, Ferguson warned his players not to get complacent and insisted that they cannot afford to be distracted by the ‘occasion’ surrounding the return leg with Madrid’s.
“Tomorrow is an important one because Tuesday will look after itself,” he added. “It’s an occasion on Tuesday whereas tomorrow is the mundane practical situation in that we need to win.”
