Leading scorer Ruud Van Nistelrooy has been included in the squad for Manchester United's premier league match against Chelsea on Saturday.

The Dutch international has scored 29 goals this season but has played just once since the end of March because of knee and thigh injuries.

Chelsea are four points clear of United in second place with two games to go, and Ferguson believes the second automatic qualification place for the Champions League is out of reach.

"I think the second spot is probably beyond us, but winning your last (home) game is always important, as is getting some form before the (FA Cup) final," Ferguson told reporters on Friday.

Manchester United play Aston Villa away in their final league match before facing first division Millwall in the FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium on May 22.

"With Chelsea having Leeds United, and there will be lot of despondency over at Elland Road at the moment after they have been relegated, you would expect Chelsea to win their last game. But we want to win our last home game and that's why tomorrow's an important game," Ferguson said.

United prepare to face the losing Champions League semi-finalists having lost three of their last four games. They are 13 points behind newly-crowned champions Arsenal.

"The players, for the first time, haven't been contesting the league and they have found it difficult after beating Arsenal in the (FA Cup) semi-final," Ferguson said.

Ferguson also dismissed the latest round of media reports linking Van Nistelrooy with a move to Real Madrid, saying the striker would be staying at Old Trafford.

"I did what I had to do last week in terms of relieving the supporters' minds about the whole situation with Roy (Keane) and Ruud at the press conference (last week)," Ferguson said.

"That's exactly where the position stands. These players will be here next year."

As well as the return of Van Nistelrooy, Ferguson will also be able to select the fit-again pair of Louis Saha and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Paul Scholes has completed a three-match ban.

Roy Keane, who was recently linked with Celtic, is still out with a hamstring injury.