Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Ronaldo could feature at Stamford Bridge next weekend as the winger makes rapid progress in regaining fitness after his ankle operation in July.

SAF:

“He’s been making great strides in the direction towards first-team football.

Ronaldo is training now, he’s with the first team and he’s aiming to be a substitute at Chelsea on 21 September. He’s come on leaps and bounds.

I think we mentioned a couple of weeks ago he was making rapid progress in terms of overcoming the injury problem he had and the training he’s been doing with the physios and Tony Strudwick the fitness coach.”

On yesterday’s evidence, few would argue that United need him back as soon as possible, although it’s unlikely that he will play any major part in helping United get a result against Chelsea (let alone Villareal).