Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson always expected some of his young players to be hit by injury midway through this season.

The biggest part of United's massive injury list has now cleared up.

And that leaves Ferguson with an even greater sense of optimism.

"I should have more players available than I've had in the last few weeks because we've had a terrible spell of injuries," he said.

"But we've done the right thing in the treatment of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, we've given them a break.

"They are young players and they had been carrying little strains for weeks.

"Then all of a sudden it hits them, and we had to take stock, to get them back. We've given them a fair break and they're fresh now."