United's Solskjaer setback
02 Mar 2007 - 13:23:42
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's striking problems have intensified after it was confirmed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer requires surgery on the knee injury that almost forced him to retire from the game.
The 33-year-old Norwegian has been booked in for an operation to clean out the knee which required intensive surgery in August 2004 and forced him out of the game for 20 months.
It is expected that Solskjaer will be sidelined for at least four weeks.
The news comes at a bad time for Ferguson as veteran striker Henrik Larsson is due to return to Helsingborgs on March 12, which would leave United with only Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Alan Smith as attacking options.
Solskjaer's return this season has been impressive and he has already netted 10 goals in 21 appearances, including one in Tuesday's FA Cup victory at Reading.
Meanwhile, United defender Rio Ferdinand is looking forward to Saturday lunchtime's crunch Premiership clash at Liverpool.
After snatching a last-gasp winner at Fulham last weekend, United can move 12 points clear of second-placed Chelsea with victory at Anfield, and Ferdinand said: "We've got a never-say-die attitude.
"Even if we're drawing or losing a match we always feel we can create chances no matter what stage of the game it is, as you saw at Fulham.
"It's always tough against Liverpool no matter what time of the season you play them because the rivalry is so big between the two cities, the two teams and both sets of fans.
"It all adds up to create a great atmosphere which all the players enjoy playing in."
