Ruud may start on bench

Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted he will put Ruud van Nistelrooy on the subs' bench.

Van Nistelrooy has not played for Manchester United since the end of November due to an Achilles problem.

The Holland ace has recovered from the injury and has been in full training for the past week.

He has been saved for Wednesday's second round, first leg clash with Milan but the question mark is whether van Nistelrooy starts at Old Trafford.

United boss Ferguson is delighted to have van Nistelrooy available again but is in a quandary about picking the hit-man from the start.

Van Nistelrooy's Champions League record - he has scored 36 goals in 37 games for The Red Devils - is the argument in favour of him starting but Ferguson feels lack of match fitness may make leaving his talisman on the bench the sensible decision.

"It's a big decision I have got to take," said Ferguson. "Hopefully I'll get it right.

"I have to decide whether he is sharp enough after three months out. His ability in games like this makes him a big shout.

"His record is fantastic. He is the best in Europe. His record is incredible ever since he joined Manchester United. He is a big-game player.

"I have no fears about him but there is just a question mark with him having been out for three months.

"The pace of the game early on may mean it is better to have him as a substitute. So that is a decision I have to take."

Ferguson, for the first time in nearly four months, is spoilt for choice in attack, with Alan Smith and Louis Saha also fit for selection, with the manager buoyed by being in such an enviable position again.

He added: "There's no doubt having all four of them fit is a big bonus.

"We have handled it well with Wayne Rooney as our only striker recently but I now have far bigger options."