Roy was brought back into the team for the 3-0 demolition of Spurs on Saturday and in so doing helped United to their first clean sheet for some time.

    After the match Ferguson commented that the time was right for Tim Howard to have a rest and that Roy would come in for the next few games. Those next few games are both against Arsenal in the league this Sunday and the cup the following Saturday but the affable Tamlaght lad is typically unfazed by coming up against Henry and co.

    “Well the manager has not picked the team for Sunday yet,” Roy commented from his Manchester home on Tuesday. “But if I am selected then I will be ready and hopefully we will get the win that we need. It was good to get back in the team for the Tottenham game and it was important for the team as a whole to keep a clean sheet.”

    United have been on a bit a of a bad run of late and if they are to have any hope of retaining their premierhsip crown then they will have to beat the all conquering Arsenal side at Highbury on Saturday.

    Roy added: “There is still a lot to play for and we will not be giving up until the final hurdle. We will need to produce a big performance to beat them on Sunday and possibly end their run.”

    Sunday may well be the season defining moment in the premiership with the eyes of the world descending on Highbury but you would not think it speaking to Roy.

    “They are all big games playing with Man United but I like playing in front of the big crowds. I probably have not had as many starts as I would have liked this year but Tim (Howard) has been playing well. I have been working hard on my game and will take my chance if selected.”

    Roy will have been at United three years in the summer and has a year left on his contract. He is content at United but admits that you never can predict what will happen in the football world. He also has his sights set on trying to get back into the Northern Ireland team and impressing new manager Lawrie Sanchez.

    “Maik has been playing well for Birmingham while I have been on the bench so he will be hard to displace but I will bide my time and keep on working at my game. We have only met the new manager for a few days, so it will take a while for the new set up to settle down. Defensively we were not too bad in the European qualifiers so we must put the Norway game behind us and hopefully get the goals flowing up front and keep it tight at the back,” said the United netmider.