Tom Cleverley will make his comeback after a three-month absence with an ankle injury in Saturday's match with Liverpool. The 22-year-old Manchester United midfielder is still short of match fitness and is likely to start on the bench. Sir Alex Ferguson originally planned to give him game time in a reserves fixture against Chelsea on Monday until it was postponed due to the weather, but still says his return will be like getting a new player.

"Cleverley has been terrific in training, it is only games he is short of," the United manager said. "He has a very quick football brain and he's fresh again now. He was a revelation for us earlier in the season and I think he can do the same again. It is a shame he had to have such a long lay-off because he was proving an important player for us. We always knew he was talented but physically he wasn't up to Premier League standards at first. That's why we loaned him out, and once he began to get games with other clubs he came on in leaps and bounds."

Once Cleverley is back playing United's injury problems will be much less severe, with only Nemanja Vidic unlikely to figure again this season. Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Nani could all be fit in time for the Europa League game against Ajax in midweek, though none of that trio is expected to play today. Ryan Giggs has signed a one-year extension at the age of 38 to line up a 22nd season at the same club. "I feel good and I know I can still contribute to keeping the team pushing for honours," he said. "When I signed my first contract I never thought I'd be able to play for United for 22 years, but winning the 19th title was a great feeling and this club is all about what we do next."

Like his manager, Giggs has won 12 Premier League titles and two European Cups, and is now closing on 900 first-team appearances after breaking Bobby Charlton's record of 758 four years ago. "Ryan is a marvellous player who in many ways epitomises all my teams at United." Ferguson said. "He has adapted to the changing nature of the game and retained the desire and hunger for success. The young players in the dressing room have a great example to follow and a great chance to learn from a player who will continue to break records that anyone in the game will find hard to beat."