UNITED ROUND-UP

From the Beeb:

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is to run the rule over Cambridge goalkeeper John Ruddy.

Ruddy, 18, will spend a few days training with the Premiership club next week following Cambridge's game at Rochdale on Saturday.

"It's a good thing for him and his future is in his own hands," U's boss Herve Renard told his club's website.

Ruddy, in England's Under-19 squad for a game against France this month, is now first-choice keeper for the U's.

Meanwhile in the MEN:

Sweden international 'keeper Andreas Isaksson has issued a 'come-and-get-me' plea to Manchester United. With United seemingly linked to a new 'keeper on an almost daily basis, the Swede has decided to to signal his own desire to join the Reds.

The 23-year-old, who reaped plaudits for his performances between the sticks for the Swedes during Euro 2004, currently plies his trade with French sides Rennes but would jump at an opportunity to join the Reds.

"It would be a dream come true to play for Manchester United. I wouldn't hesitate for a second. I have developed my game considerably and I wouldn't let a chance like that pass me by.”

Fergie believes Walter Smith is the "outstanding candidate" to succeed Berti Vogts as Scotland coach.

The former Rangers and Everton manger emerged as the favourite to take on the role even before the German's resignation was accepted by the Scottish Football Association yesterday.

Gordon Strachan has also been linked with the post but Ferguson, who coached Scotland at the 1986 World Cup, believes only Smith can bring about a radical change in the nation's footballing fortunes.

"He (Smith) would be the outstanding candidate as far as I'm concerned, without question. He has a wealth of experience. He was my assistant with Scotland and here at United and he has also managed Glasgow Rangers.

"I don't know what credentials are needed to do the job but it's a job that needs a lot of experience. He would need to change the whole shape of Scottish football and radical changes are needed. You need somebody who knows what they're doing and Walter Smith would bring that experience to the job."

Smith became Ferguson's No 2 at Old Trafford last season and is believed to be the choice of SFA chiefs David Taylor and John McBeth. But they are unlikely to appoint the new manager before the SFA meet tomorrow.

The search began for the new national manager when Vogts resigned yesterday.

Highly rated former United junior Danny Webber is in more injury strife. From the Mirror:

Watford's Danny Webber was rushed to hospital for X-rays on a shoulder injury after a horror collision with a post. The ex-Manchester United man has dislocated both shoulders in the past and the Hornets now face an anxious wait to discover the damage.

Webber was injured late in the second half as he tried to follow up after Jason Brown had turned away a shot by James Chambers but instead fell against the upright. Watford boss Ray Lewington said:

"He hit the post and we think he's done his shoulder. We don't know what the damage is yet.''