Arsenal v Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Friday that defensive duo Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are both fit for Manchester United’s trip to Arsenal on Sunday.
GettyImagesChris Smalling: Fit to face Gunners
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The pair both sat out last week’s home Premier League win over Bolton after failing to recover from the after-effects of a collision during the previous week’s Manchester derby in the FA Cup.
However, Ferguson reported both have trained this week and should be involved at the Emirates Stadium. “Phil and Chris will be fit,” said Ferguson.
Ferguson also confirmed long-term absentees Ashley Young and Tom Cleverley were making good progress in their bids to return to fitness. And Ferguson hopes the latter will return in early February.
“I am hopeful in ten days’ time, he [Cleverley] will be playing football on the training side of it. That is the plan anyway, unless there is any recurrence. We can kick on and then it depends how he does in the training.
“His fitness levels should be fine and if that is correct, he could cope right away. You are talking about a week.”