Lindegaard debut on hold

With current No 1 Edwin van der Sar set to retire at the end of the season, Ferguson has already signed Denmark international Lindegaard, while Germany's Manuel Neuer continues to be linked with the Red Devils. Lindegaard has already arrived in Manchester and has started training at United following his transfer from Aalesund, but he'll have to wait for his debut. Ferguson said: "We can't register him until after the Stoke game because of the Bank Holiday. "But he is training with us now and that is important. "It will bring him to a better level of fitness because he has not played for a few weeks. We will see how his progress goes." It means Van der Sar is virtually certain to start the Boxing Day encounter with Sunderland, when United will look to consolidate their position at the top of the table. Ferguson reported the majority of his squad have shrugged off the effects of flu, which would have ruled Nemanja Vidic and Anderson out of last weekend's trip to Chelsea, if it had not been postponed. Paul Scholes and John O'Shea are missing due to groin and calf problems respectively as United prepare for a meeting with the Wearsiders, who had the better of a draw at the Stadium of Light earlier this season and are one of the Premier League's most progressive outfits. "We were lucky to get a point at Sunderland," said Ferguson. "It is the hardest game we have had away from home all season." As usual, Ferguson will take stock of the league table once all four festive matches have been completed, although he accepts postponements may make it a difficult task. "My aim is to try and be the top by January 4. That would be good," he said. "If we are, we have done well. By that time, the top of the league will have taken shape, depending on the weather. "