Manchester United await Wes Brown foot injury verdict

Manchester United are waiting to discover if defender Wes Brown has broken a bone in his left foot.

If the England international has broken the fifth metatarsal he is likely to miss the Premier League's final stages and possibly this summer's World Cup.

The 30-year-old suffered the injury in a challenge with Matt Jarvis in United's 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday.

Brown left Molineux with his foot in a protective boot and had a scan on the injury on Sunday.

He broke a metatarsal just over a year ago.

He won his 23rd cap for England against Egypt last Wednesday and is expected to be in Fabio Capello's squad for the World Cup in June.

However, if test results show he has broken another metatarsal, he faces a race against time to be fit for the finals in South Africa.

A United spokeswoman told BBC Sport the club was waiting for the results of the scan before making any comment.

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Sir Alex Ferguson dismisses Red Knights link

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has rejected claims he is supporting a potential takeover of the club by a group of wealthy fans.

It had been suggested Ferguson would invest his own money in the club if the bid by the "Red Knights" succeeded.

But Ferguson insisted the reports are "absolute rubbish - there is not an ounce of truth in it".

On Sunday one of the "Red Knights" told BBC Sport that they had had no contact with Ferguson.

A United spokesman added: "[The owners] the Glazer family and the manager enjoy 100% trust in each other."

The debt level of more than £700m incurred under the Glazers on a once-debt free company has caused unease among some supporters.

Thousands of fans have joined the green and gold protest against the Americans, who bought the club in 2005, by wearing the colours of Newton Heath - the club was renamed Manchester United in 1902.

And the Manchester United Supporters Trust, which is running a vocal campaign to bring about a change of ownership, says membership has doubled to about 100,000 in the past month, with much of that growth coming following the "Red Knights revelation".

Ferguson has some friends among the Red Knights and has said he has "no problem" with the protestors.

"There were plenty of green and gold scarves on Sunday [in the Carling Cup final win over Aston Villa] and I was delighted to see them supporting the club," he said.

"We are quite happy. As long as they are supporting Manchester United they can wear whatever they like.

"I have no issue with the Red Knights. I know some of them. I don't deny them the right to protest.

"If they want to try and buy the club that is entirely up to them."

According to The Observer, senior City financers allied to the consortium had claimed Ferguson was supporting the controversial bid.

The so-called Red Knights include Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill, acting in a personal capacity, lawyer Mark Rawlinson and financier Keith Harris.

It has been reported that 60 investors have pledged up to £1.5bn ($2.26bn) to buy the club, but a statement from the Red Knights last week said the figure was purely speculative.

US sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer, who bought United for £800m, has said the club is not for sale, while the club's chief executive David Gill said the owners were "running the club the right way".

According to the latest accounts that were released in January, debts at United's parent company Red Football Joint Venture have increased to £716.5m.

Red Football Joint Venture is owned by the Glazer family and secures its debts against the football club, but the accounts also confirmed that six of Malcolm Glazer's children were each given loans worth £1.67m from the parent company.

All are directors of Red Football, and such a practice is legal, but Harris, who is the head of merchant bank Seymour Pierce, has said it did "not create a good impression of the directors' governance of the company".

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Wolverhampton 0 - 1 Man Utd

Paul Scholes grabbed the winner to earn Manchester United a laboured win over strugglers Wolves and send his side back to the top of the Premier League.

Paul Scholes celebrates the strike that takes United back to the top of the table

The 35-year-old ran onto Nani's pass in the box, turned past Christophe Berra, and slid home the winner on 73 minutes.

Scholes's 100th Premier League goal spared the blushes of a United side clearly missing the cutting edge of the injured Wayne Rooney.

Wolves battled well but wasted several chances to put the pressure on United.

Sam Vokes wasted their best chance late on, firing over from close range, and Mick McCarthy must wonder where his side would be in the table if they could match their valiant approach play with a touch of composure in front of goal.

Phelan shrugs off Rooney absence

It meant another brave display from the hosts went unrewarded and they remain outside of the drop zone only on goal difference, while United will be hugely relieved to escape from Molineux with all three points.

They now leapfrog Chelsea at the top of the table and sit at the Premier League summit with a two-point cushion, albeit having played a game more the Blues.

This, though, was the most unconvincing of victories. But if the old adage about title-winning sides picking up victories when not at their best is true, it may well underline their title credentials.

Wolves were fined £25,000 the last time these two sides met because of McCarthy's controversial decision to field a weakened side.

But there will be no repeat this time around following a performance full of valour, intent and no little talent from a line-up that has been unchanged in four matches.

Kevin Doyle was the star turn as he performed well against Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand - the first time United's first-choice centre-back pairing had played together since October last year.

The Irishman had the first chance of note, dragging wide from inside the area, and was then heavily involved in a fine counter-attacking move on the half hour that ended with David Jones's shot being charged down bravely by Michael Carrick.

Neither of those were as gilt-edged as the chance that fell to Stephen Ward, though, the midfielder rising unmarked six yards out only to head Matt Jarvis's cross straight at United keeper Edwin van der Sar.

United, denied any room across the park by Wolves' hassle and harry, were desperately missing Rooney, unavailable after aggravating a knee injury on England duty in midweek.

Ferdinand hails 'inspirational' Scholes

Dimitar Berbatov, up front on his own, was at times sublime but at others ineffective, while Nani, Scholes and Darron Gibson were unthreatening.

The best the visitors managed before the break was when Gibson got an out-stretched foot onto Nani's deflected free-kick, but his effort dribbled wide.

Ferguson's side did at least up the tempo in the second half, and Patrice Evra almost forced the opener when he burst onto Gibson's pass, only to see his original effort blocked and the follow-up cleared by Kevin Foley.

Still, though, a lack of spark in the United ranks only added to Wolves' confidence levels and McCarthy's side continued to look the more likely to score.

Our luck will change - McCarthy

That was until Scholes' intervention, with the veteran midfielder's neat finish rounding off 100 Premier League goals 16 years after his first.

After that, in truth, United could have had plenty more. Ji-Sung Park forced a good block running on to an excellent Berbatov pass, while Mame Diouf wasted two fine openings, heading a Gary Neville cross over at the back post and then dragging a shot wide on the counter-attack.

However, there was still time for a twist in the tale and Vokes almost provided it in injury time.

The substitute looked odds-on to score and snatch what would have been a vital point for the hosts when Ronald Zubar's prodded pass fell to him unmarked eight yards out with the goal gaping, but he somehow contrived to sweep the ball over the bar and leave McCarthy with his head in his hands.

It means Wolves, with only four home games to come from their remaining 10 matches, have it all to do to retain their Premier League status this season.

But United continue their charge for a fourth straight title, even if, on this evidence, they must be eagerly awaiting Rooney's return from injury.

---

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy
"We played well but I'm sick of saying that. If we maintain those standards, I firmly believe our luck will change.

"Sam (Vokes) would expect to score that chance at the end, but it's the story of our season. There was a mistake at one end and a miss at the other.

"But we'll never give up, as long as there is breath in our bodies."

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson:
"We deserved the win, no question. They had an outstanding chance at the end but the lad didn't take it.

"Our form is good and we're managing without some players, which is important at this time of year.

"And we have players coming back - that was the first time that back four has played together for a year and a half."

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Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney doubt for Milan tie

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson fears that Wayne Rooney could miss the Champions League second-leg match with AC Milan on Wednesday.

The striker was unavailable for United's 1-0 win over Wolves at Molineux after aggravating a knee injury playing for England in midweek.

"He's a doubt for Wednesday, which is a bigger problem for us," said Ferguson.

"It wasn't looking good when he got back on Thursday - his knee was swollen," added the United boss.

United coped without Rooney in the win at Molineux, with Paul Scholes scoring the solitary goal in a hard-fought win that took the Red Devils to the top of the Premier League table.

United are already without striker Michael Owen, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old Rooney had been struggling with the knee problem before last weekend's Carling Cup final but still played in England's win over Egypt on Wednesday at Wembley, much to Ferguson's chagrin.

"I don't think he should have played on Wednesday," said Ferguson.

"It is his own enthusiasm that has caused it. His problem is that he can't say no."

"He told us on Sunday he was feeling his knee. Then all of a sudden people put an arm around his shoulder with England and he wants to play.

"[England boss] Fabio Capello has to pick his best team. A win was important so I don't blame him at all.

"I was more disappointed with Wayne. Why didn't he come off? I can't believe it."

Rooney was a substitute in United's 2-1 Carling Cup win over Aston Villa, but came on after Owen pulled up with the hamstring injury and scored the winning goal.

Rooney admitted to a knee problem after the match but still played 86 minutes in England's 3-1 victory over Egypt on a Wembley pitch which has drawn widespread criticism over the last week.

The turf was seen to cut up last Sunday leading to Ferguson partly blaming it for Owen's hamstring injury.

Rooney has been a key figure for United this season, scoring 27 goals this season, including two in United's 3-2 first-leg win in Italy, while he leads the Premier League scoring charts with 23 goals.

"It is hard to quell the enthusiasm of people like Wayne," Ferguson added.

"He is restless. He can't sit down. He is always on the move. Even in hotels he is moving from one table to another. If we are away in Europe he is walking about all the time.

"You don't want to take away from him but age does some good things for you.

"Eventually you see you can't be doing this running about all the time. You have to take a rest sometimes."

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Wolverhampton vs. Man Utd

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Molineux Date: Saturday, 6 March 2010 Kick-off: 1730 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, full match commentary on 5 live sports extra, local radio, Final Score, live on ESPN & highlights on Match of the Day

• TEAM NEWS

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is poised to name the same line-up that has started the last three games for Saturday's visit of Manchester United.

Forward Andy Keogh, who made his comeback from an ankle injury last weekend, will again be a substitute.

Manchester United striker Michael Owen is out for the season with a hamstring injury, while Wayne Rooney's minor knee problem will be assessed.

Nani is available after suspension, and Rio Ferdinand is fit to start.

---

Wolves

Injured: Edwards (ankle), Kightly (ankle/knee)

Manchester United

Doubtful: Rafael (calf), Rooney (knee)

Injured: Anderson, J Evans & Hargreaves (all knee), Giggs (broken arm), O'Shea (thigh), Owen (hamstring)

• MATCH PREVIEW

Though confronted by Old Gold at Molineux, Manchester United's focus is on new silverware.

United's successful defence of the League Cup trophy at Wembley last weekend was an unprecedented achievement, as would be a fourth successive league title. A win or draw on Saturday will put United top of the table.

The Premier League decided that Wolves tarnished their famous shirts in the reverse fixture in December, when manager Mick McCarthy made 10 changes from the team that beat Tottenham three days earlier. United won 3-0 and Wolves were given a £25,000 fine for breaching the rules by fielding a weakened team.

McCarthy had argued that his first XI would have fared little better, and they certainly haven't done anything to disprove that theory with a return of five points from a possible 27. Nonetheless, with relegation a very real threat, Wolves need to be at full strength and full tilt on Saturday.

United welcome back the new England captain, Rio Ferdinand, but the season is over for one of his predecessors, Michael Owen, who pulled a hamstring during the League Cup final. However, United's strength is that even when weakened they rarely show signs of weakness.

• MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Wolves have only beaten Manchester United once in their last 10 league and cup meetings, a 1-0 Premier League victory at Molineux in January 2004. Wolves have only scored two goals in those 10 games.

• The last meeting between these clubs at Molineux ended in a 3-0 FA Cup win for United four years ago.

Wolves

• They have lost their last two matches without scoring. Their only league victory in the last nine attempts was 1-0 at home against Tottenham Hotspur on 10 February.

• Their only victory in 14 Premier League matches against Big Four opposition was at home to Manchester United in January 2004. Kenny Miller scored the only goal of the game.

• Wolves are the division's lowest scorers with 21 goals, and have failed to score in 12 of their 27 league matches this season.

Manchester United

• United have only won two of their last six away matches in the league. Their two defeats in that time were at Fulham and Everton.

• They have failed to win in both previous Premier League visits to promoted clubs this season, losing 1-0 at Burnley in August and drawing 1-1 at Birmingham City in January.

• They are the joint leading scorers in the Premier League, alongside Arsenal, with 66 goals in 28 matches.

• Wayne Rooney has scored 12 goals in his last nine Manchester United appearances in all competitions. Seven of his last eight goals have been headers, including the last six.

• Paul Scholes still needs one goal to take his tally to 100 in the Premier League.

• Antonio Valencia is poised to make his 100th Premier League start.

• LEADING GOALSCORERS

Wolves

Doyle: 6 goals (6 league); Craddock: 4 goals (4 league)

Manchester United

Rooney: 28 goals (23 league); Berbatov: 9 goals (9 league)

• MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Chris Foy

Assistant referees: Ron Ganfield & Bob Pollock

Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

• LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Wolves (L0-1 v Bolton, a): Hahnemann; Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Ward, Henry, Guedioura (Ebanks-Blake 68), Foley (Keogh 73),
D Jones, Jarvis, Doyle. Subs not used: Hennessey, Elokobi, Vokes, Milijas, Mancienne.

Manchester United (W3-0 v West Ham, h): Foster; Neville, Brown, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Gibson, Scholes, Anderson (Park 19), Rooney (Owen 78), Berbatov (Diouf 78) Subs not used: Kuszczak, Fletcher, Evans, Rafael.

• MOST RECENT MEETING

Man Utd 3-0 Wolves (15 December 2009)

Manchester United scorers: Rooney (pen) 30, Vidic 43, Valencia 66

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Michael Owen ruled out for rest of season

Manchester United striker Michael Owen will not play again this season after pulling his hamstring in the 2-1 Carling Cup win over Aston Villa.

Owen is consoled by boss Ferguson after limping out of the Carling Cup final

The 30-year-old, who scored United's equaliser at Wembley, pulled up while chasing a pass in the first half.

The injury all but ends Owen's hopes of playing for England at the World Cup.

"It is more serious than we thought. I think the heavy pitch at Wembley played some part, but it's also bad luck," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Owen, who will have one year remaining on his two-year contract at Old Trafford at the end of this season, was initially expected to be out for only a few weeks, but will now undergo surgery on Monday.

He said: "I have loved every minute of my first campaign with Manchester United and have already enjoyed some memorable moments.

"I am determined to come back at the start of next season in peak condition."

Owen, who has scored 40 goals in 89 games for England, admitted in February that he was not expecting to be included in coach Fabio Capello's 23-man World Cup squad for South Africa.

He last played for the national side in March 2008 in a 1-0 friendly defeat by France, but has not featured in a squad since.

"It's been a long time since I was in the England squad. You never give up but it's probably a long shot in racing terms," Owen told BBC Sport last month.

And that call seems even less likely now, considering Capello said he would only recall Owen if he was playing regularly for United.

Owen, who has struggled with groin, ankle, thigh, hernia, metatarsal and knee ligament injuries in the past, had not missed a training session this season following his surprise move to Old Trafford on a reported pay-as-you-play deal in the summer.

But the 2001 European footballer of the year found starting chances limited, with 20 of his 31 appearances this season coming as substitute.

However, he has scored nine goals in all competitions, including a hat-trick in the Champions League win against Wolfsburg and an injury-time winner in September's Manchester derby before Sunday's equaliser in the Carling Cup final.

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Manchester United's Owen Hargreaves set to make return

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves is set to make his return from injury with a run out for the reserves on Thursday.

The 29-year-old has been out of action since September 2008, when he underwent revolutionary knee surgery.

But Hargreaves has resumed training with the first team and boss Sir Alex Ferguson says he could return against Manchester City's second string.

"He's shown for the first time he is almost ready to play," said Ferguson.

The England midfielder, who joined Manchester United in 2007 from Bayern Munich, has suffered long-term problems with tendinitis and played only three games for his club in 2008.

In a bid to solve the problem, he had knee surgery under the guidance of specialist Dr Richard Steadman in America and returned to United's Carrington training base 12 months later.

But his expected return to training within a couple of months did not materialise and his comeback has been continually delayed.

Recent rumours suggested that Hargreaves was out for the remainder of the season but he could be on target to assist with United's title run-in, should he come through the reserves derby match at Altrincham's Moss Lane ground.

Ferguson added: "He has been training with the first team, which has been good to see and is pencilled in for a game with the reserves on Thursday."

United also look set to welcome back Italian Under-21 international Federico Macheda from injury.

It is a timely return, given that forward Michael Owen has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and Danny Welbeck has joined Championship side Preston North End on loan.

"Macheda starts training with the first team again next week which is also good news, particularly considering the loss of Michael," stated Ferguson.

"He is a good player to have back, so we have had some disappointments with some, and light at the end of the tunnel with other players."

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