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Ferguson denies Neville reports Ferguson denies Neville reports
(about 2 hours later)
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed reports that Gary Neville will be out for six weeks because of calf and knee injuries.Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed reports that Gary Neville will be out for six weeks because of calf and knee injuries.
The 31-year-old England defender is in the squad to face Newcastle on Monday.The 31-year-old England defender is in the squad to face Newcastle on Monday.
"He's playing on Monday, so that six weeks has obviously been reduced by a miracle drug," joked Ferguson, who celebrated his 65th birthday on Sunday."He's playing on Monday, so that six weeks has obviously been reduced by a miracle drug," joked Ferguson, who celebrated his 65th birthday on Sunday.
"This has supposedly come from a great authority. What kind of authority is it when he's going to play on Monday?""This has supposedly come from a great authority. What kind of authority is it when he's going to play on Monday?"
In November, Ferguson said Neville may have to undergo surgery to cure a long-standing calf injury.In November, Ferguson said Neville may have to undergo surgery to cure a long-standing calf injury.
Neville has missed United's last two games, with his last action coming in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa on 23 December.Neville has missed United's last two games, with his last action coming in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa on 23 December.
Ferguson has played Wes Brown at right-back for the matches against Wigan and Reading but Neville has been included in the 20-man squad to travel to St James' Park.Ferguson has played Wes Brown at right-back for the matches against Wigan and Reading but Neville has been included in the 20-man squad to travel to St James' Park.
United are six points clear at the top of the Premiership table going into the new year and Ferguson is confident his side can hold off Chelsea's challenge.United are six points clear at the top of the Premiership table going into the new year and Ferguson is confident his side can hold off Chelsea's challenge.
"We said at the beginning of December that if we are top on New Year's Day we will be delighted because it gives us an outstanding chance," said Ferguson."We said at the beginning of December that if we are top on New Year's Day we will be delighted because it gives us an outstanding chance," said Ferguson.
Chelsea have not been tested like this before Man Utd boss Sir Alex FergusonChelsea have not been tested like this before Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson
"The team is playing well and we have to look forward just one game at a time."The team is playing well and we have to look forward just one game at a time.
"The influence of Chelsea and the big players they have been able to buy has made winning the league harder, there is no doubt about it."The influence of Chelsea and the big players they have been able to buy has made winning the league harder, there is no doubt about it.
"It has not been easy for us because they have won the league quite comfortably in the last two years."It has not been easy for us because they have won the league quite comfortably in the last two years.
"Chelsea have not been tested like this before but if we can maintain our consistency, we will do it.""Chelsea have not been tested like this before but if we can maintain our consistency, we will do it."
And Ferguson, talking after seeing his side beat Reading 3-2 on Saturday, warned his players that they would have to sharpen up defensively in the title run-in.And Ferguson, talking after seeing his side beat Reading 3-2 on Saturday, warned his players that they would have to sharpen up defensively in the title run-in.
"The defending for Reading's second goal was the worst defending of the season by us," he conceded."The defending for Reading's second goal was the worst defending of the season by us," he conceded.
"Concentration levels have to be high all the time. We won't be top of the league if we defend like that.""Concentration levels have to be high all the time. We won't be top of the league if we defend like that."
Meanwhile, Ferguson has recalled young striker Giuseppe Rossi from his loan spell at Newcastle and has insisted he has no plans to send him out for another loan period at Sunderland.Meanwhile, Ferguson has recalled young striker Giuseppe Rossi from his loan spell at Newcastle and has insisted he has no plans to send him out for another loan period at Sunderland.
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The 19-year-old has returned to Old Trafford after making five starts for the Magpies and Ferguson wants to make sure he has plenty of cover for first-choice forwards Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha.The 19-year-old has returned to Old Trafford after making five starts for the Magpies and Ferguson wants to make sure he has plenty of cover for first-choice forwards Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha.
"I don't see why we should let anyone go who is going to be useful to us," said Ferguson."I don't see why we should let anyone go who is going to be useful to us," said Ferguson.
"The run-in could be full of all sorts of pitfalls. We want to be prepared for it and we want to be able to handle it all, so it is good to get Giuseppe back."The run-in could be full of all sorts of pitfalls. We want to be prepared for it and we want to be able to handle it all, so it is good to get Giuseppe back.
"He has great talent, which is why we let him go to Newcastle. And even though he did not have a lot of games, he still comes back to us with a bit more experience and a bit of quality.""He has great talent, which is why we let him go to Newcastle. And even though he did not have a lot of games, he still comes back to us with a bit more experience and a bit of quality."