Manchester United defender Gary Neville has made his long-awaited comeback from injury, playing for nearly an hour for the club's reserves on Thursday.

The right-back, 32, suffered an ankle injury in March while muscle strains have delayed his return this season.

Neville was booked and scored an own goal as United beat Stockport 6-1 in the Manchester Senior Cup.

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar says he did not expect Arsenal to cope so well following the exit of former striker Thierry Henry.

"It would have been obvious to think they would have a poor season without Henry," he told BBC's Football Focus ahead of Saturday's game.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is focused on carrying his blistering form into Saturday's clash against Arsenal.

"I'm delighted with my game at the minute. I'm playing well, scoring goals and we're winning games, so I just want it to keep that going," he told the Mirror.

CRISTIANO Ronaldo believes the champions have got the edge over the Premier League leaders.

"All Arsenal's team are playing fantastically, it is not just about one or two players," said United's 22-year-old winger.

Rio Ferdinand is adamant that this weekend's clash between United and Arsenal will not determine the destination of the Premier League title.

The England defender does admit, however, that the Reds can send out an ominous warning to their title rivals with victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Barcelona prodigy Lionel Messi has been highly impressed by the form of compatriot Carlos Tevez since his summer move to United.

Tevez has four United goals to his name, but it has been his scintillating strike partnership with Wayne Rooney that has really captured the attention of the football world.

Nemanja Vidic has welcomed comparisons with Manchester United heroes Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister.

The defender said: "I have heard of the comparisons with Bruce and Pallister. They are part of the Manchester United legend. To be compared with them is great. It makes you want to try even harder."

Owen Hargreaves is full of praise for how his fellow new signings have overcome language barriers to adapt to life at United.

The England midfielder is the only English-speaking new arrival this summer, while Nani, Anderson and Carlos Tevez are still learning the club’s mother tongue.

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to keep winning trophies - for both himself and Manchester United.

The Portuguese wing ace won the PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards last season, and is in the running for this year's World Player of the Year crown.

Manchester United striker Louis Saha will be fit for Saturday's crunch match at Arsenal.

The French strike ace, 29, looks to have shaken off the knee injury that has plagued him for months - and kept him out for nearly four weeks.

After Saha came through a first full training session, a Red Devils insider revealed to The Sun: "He looked fit and raring to go."