RIO Ferdinand believes his United team-mate Wayne Rooney is starting to consistently produce his best form for England as the striker prepares to win his 50th cap in the World Cup qualifier with Ukraine at Wembley.
Rooney has had an up-and-down career for his country since making a massive impact during the Euro 2004 finals, where he was injured in the quarter-finals against host nation Portugal.
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JI-sung Park is aiming to boost his goals tally to aid Manchester United’s quintuple quest.
The South Korea star has been in good form for the Reds - he picked up the player of the month award from the club’s official website www.manutd.com - but has only scored two goals this season and admits he could improve that part of his game.
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RIO Ferdinand was able to take some part in England training this morning, fuelling a belief that he will be fit for Wednesday’s key World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley.
The United defender has been feeling a slight aggravation in a back problem that ruled him out for a month earlier this season.
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BEN Foster has got the whip hand for both United and England, according to ex-Reds number one Alex Stepney.
He is still not first-choice for either club or country, with Edwin van der Sar and David James blocking his path, but he is tipped to take over both in the near future.
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GARY Neville provided a welcome boost for United ahead of Sunday afternoon’s Old Trafford showdown with Aston Villa when he came through a 58-minute workout against Newcastle United at St James’s Park last night.
But the Reds young goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zeiler wasn’t so lucky, breaking an arm in the clash.
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UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes a refocused Barcelona pose the biggest threat to his team’s hopes of retaining their Champions League crown.
English sides have once again dominated the world’s premier club competition this season, with United one of four teams from the Barclays Premier League to reach the quarter-finals - along with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.
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GARY Neville takes his next step towards full fitness tonight when he plays for United’s second string in their reserve team clash with Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Neville has endured an injury-plagued two years, which started with a broken ankle suffered against Bolton in March 2007. The England defender thought het had put his problems behind him when he forced his way back into the United line-up earlier this season, making 22 appearances.
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UNITED striker Wayne Rooney brushed aside concerns over his temperament ahead of England’s World Cup clash against the Ukraine on Wednesday by insisting: “I am always in control.”
It was the briefest of responses from the 23-year-old after scoring twice in the 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia, coming a week after he punched a corner flag having been sent-off for United at Fulham.
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UNITED are set to be relying on a potentially jaded attack to re-ignite their Premier League form this Sunday against Aston Villa.
Carlos Tevez will be the man charged with spearheading the champions’ recovery following back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Fulham. The Reds’ goal-difference has also taken a pounding in recent weeks with Liverpool gaining the upperhand in that department in the title race.
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