Ferguson has kindly handed us more information on the omission of Gary Neville from the United squad for tonight’s Champions League tie with Aalborg. He was also kind enough to give us a view on his selection policy with Neville going forward.

“Gary has a slight strain but he’ll be OK for Blackburn on Saturday,” confirmed Ferguson.

“Given that he has come back from a long time off, we may manage him in a different way this season so that he does not play all the midweek games, or if he plays in midweek then he won’t play at the weekend.”

A handy little tip off there, meaning that not only can we consider Neville for this weekend, we also have a handle on how he will be rotated out of the United lineup from this point on.

Ferguson also gave us the latest on Owen Hargreaves…

“We have to manage Owen’s injury in a different way,” added Ferguson.

“He’s had all the treatment but his knee flares up now and again and there’s nothing we can do about it”.

That appears to indicate that, despite claims from the player, Hargreaves will not be back to full fitness this season and seems destined to be a bit part player. Carrick, once fit, would therefore look pretty secure in his central midfield role alongside Scholes or Anderson. Fletcher should get some more starts in the meantime.