Fit-again Mikael Silvestre is ready to challenge Patrice Evra for a place in Manchester United's starting XI.

"Let's say that the coach offered me a gift, even if it could have been seen as a poisonous gift," Silvestre told L'Equipe of his comeback against Roma. "But I felt ready.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre could see action tonight against Roma.

Neville has been out for a year with an ankle problem while Silvestre has only just returned from a knee injury.

Louis Saha has backed countryman Mikael Silvestre to make a full recovery from the knee injury that's expected to keep the defender sidelined until March.