Premiership: United target van Nistelrooy on the road back
Ruud van Nistelrooy has stepped up his training and hopes to play again before the end of May.
The news will come as a real tonic for Sir Alex Ferguson who is closely monitoring the PSV striker's rehabilitation.
The Manchester United boss was set to make the Dutch star his record signing last April only for the deal to fall through when he sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury.
But Ferguson still hopes to buy the 24-year-old if he makes a full recovery.
Van Nistelrooy started training again only last week, but is making very good progress.
His agent Rodger Linse told Ananova.com: "Ruud is still in the process of rehabilitation - but doing well.
"And Manchester United are keen to know how he is doing, especially Mr Ferguson who has been very friendly."
"Some parts of his training Ruud has to do one-on-one still.
"But other ones he can now be integrated with the group and participate with other players.
"And more and more he will now join in with the others."
Linse believes the striker will be back in competitive action before the end of the Dutch season which finishes in May.
"Our season will finish towards the end of May, so the hope is to play some games before then," confirmed Linse.
"But when exactly we have no idea - and we don't want to make any predictions yet."
