Gary Neville is reportedly targeting a return to the United side against Bolton on Wednesday night. Neville has proved his fitness after being sidelined for just over a year with a series of injuries and now hopes to be in the squad for the Derby game at the weekend, with a recall to the first-team on the cards for the Bolton game.

It seems unlikely that Ferguson will throw Neville straight into the side for that one – a place on the bench seems more realistic. That should protect Brown for United’s forthcoming double fixture week but owners of Brown will certainly need to consider the threat of Neville from that point on.