Forlan - wants to prove his worth for Uruguay.

By David Anderson, PA Sport, Ulsan

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Diego Forlan hopes to be given the chance by Uruguay coach Victor Pua to prove he was not a waste of £7.5million of Manchester United's money.

Forlan has been dubbed 'Diego Forlorn' because he has been unable to score since joining United from Argentinian side Independiente back in January.

No-one is more disappointed than Forlan about his inability to find the back of the net and the striker would love to show everyone what he is capable of when Uruguay play Denmark in their opening World Cup game tomorrow in Ulsan.

"I'm a little bit upset with myself that I have not scored yet for Manchester United," he said after Uruguay's training session at Ulsan's Munsu Stadium.

"I've tried hard and sometimes I've been unlucky and other times I could have done better.

"It would be great if I could score a goal in the World Cup, but I will have to see if I play first."

Forlan forced his way into Pua's squad only in the last few months and he feels his move to United did further his cause with his rotund coach.

"I think that did help, but also the way I had played in Argentina for Independiente before my move," he said.

"I'm happy to be here and being in the squad is nice. It would be nicer still to play, but I don't know what will happen.

"I've only played three times for the team and I know I may have to start the game on the bench."

The match has brought back memories of Denmark's 6-1 mauling of Uruguay during Mexico 86 - although Danish coach Morten Olsen, who captained his country that day, claims they are a little hazy for him.

"You must remember that was a long time ago and I'm getting old now," he joked.

"But no, I do remember that we played a very good game that day. It was one of those days when everything fell into place.

"We played some very good attacking football and back then we had some very good players tactically who could play."

Olsen cautioned that Denmark should think again if they are dreaming of a similar outcome tomorrow.

Sixteen years ago Uruguay's indiscipline cost them dear and the South Americans, who were extremely physical back then, were only trailing 1-0 before Bossio was sent off after 19 minutes.

"It is only a memory and it will count for nothing tomorrow," said Olsen.

"It is a different time and different teams. Uruguay have changed a lot since then and they have changed their style.

"They are no longer a destructive side and now they can play some very fine attacking football. It will be totally different tomorrow.

"Uruguay have a good mix to their squad and they have the experience of South American football allied with their players' experience of playing in Europe in the Italian and Spanish leagues."

Olsen has no injury worries going into the potentially-decisive clash, which could have a huge bearing on who qualifies from Group A, and Pua must be wishing he could say the same.

Pua has three injuries to his squad, including one to star striker Alvaro Recoba of Inter Milan.

Recoba injured his knee in training a couple of days ago, but should be fit to play. However definitely out is defender Alejandro Lembo, while forward Fabian O'Neill is expected to be ruled out with Achilles trouble.