Ferguson ready to unleash Ronaldo and Rooney

Manchester United's illustrious young duo have completed just one game between them this term.

Rooney has not been seen since fracturing his foot in the opening day draw with Reading, while Ronaldo has been serving a three-match ban following his controversial dismissal at Portsmouth in the following game.

Ronaldo is a certain starter at Goodison Park as the Red Devils look to register their first away win of the campaign.

While Ferguson is yet to make a firm decision on Rooney, the England international will be in the United squad to face his former club.

And, if training ground impressions are anything to go by, the 21-year-old will play some part.

"Wayne has trained very well and will travel," said Ferguson.

"Whether I start with him, put him on the bench or keep him for Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday is something I still have to decide.

"He is desperate to play but we will take medical advice from the doctor."

Ferguson has no fears about the length of time it will take Rooney to ease himself back into the fray.

After all, the 21-year-old announced his arrival at United with a stunning hat-trick on his debut against Fenerbahce three months after he broke his foot for the first time during Euro 2004.

The twin returns of Rooney and Ronaldo have come at the perfect time too, given the struggles United have experienced in front of goal this season.

Despite successive wins over Tottenham and Sunderland, Ferguson's team have still only scored three times, a paltry tally, better only than Reading among their top flight rivals.

Now though, with Carlos Tevez available as well following his long-haul trip to Melbourne in midweek, Ferguson is confident he has the firepower to start blowing the opposition away in the manner expected before the campaign began.

"We are a bit higgledy-piggledy in terms of team selection but for the first time, we have enough forward power to improve our chances of scoring," said Ferguson, who also has Louis Saha available.

While the return of Rooney will be welcomed by both club and country, no matter how impressive Emile Heskey might have been for England over the past week, his comeback does come with some bad news attached.

John O'Shea is out for "a number of weeks", Ferguson confirmed after the Irishman picked up a knee injury in the Czech Republic on Wednesday, while Darren Fletcher is also facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being on the receiving end of a bad challenge by Patrick Vieira during the early stages of Scotland's memorable win in France.

"Darren will be out for six weeks, which is a disappointment," said Ferguson.

"It was a really bad, nasty challenge."

Ferguson is anticipating the usual high-octane atmosphere at Goodison Park, although given his side's excellent recent record at Everton, will be hopeful of collecting three points from David Moyes' progressive outfit.

Much will depend on Ronaldo, whose introduction from the bench helped transform the corresponding fixture last term when United won 4-2 after being two goals adrift at the break.

Ferguson is still bitter at the decision of referee Steve Bennett to send the winger off at Portsmouth, claiming "he loved it".

But the United manager is also aware that having retaliated to provocation once, Ronaldo may now become a target for other opponents eager to exploit the Portugal winger's seemingly shortened temper.

"Ronaldo being back is a big plus," he said.

"You miss players who make a difference, who can change the pattern of a game and create opportunities for you.

"What happened at Portsmouth was unusual because he normally has a good temperament to handle that kind of thing.

"But there is no question some players will maybe try to provoke a reaction from him now.

"It is up to Ronaldo to control himself and to know what a good player he is. He is only helping other team by reacting to it."