Michael Carrick is keeping his fingers crossed that he is not pressed into service as an emergency defender for Manchester United when they tackle Bolton on Saturday.
John O'Shea and Rafael limped off with hamstring problems during Tuesday's win over Marseiile meaning unless Jonny Evans is able to recover from a calf problem that has kept him out of United's last eight games, manager Sir Alex Ferguson will have only four fit defenders available.
It is a similar position to the one United found themselves in last December when Carrick had to play in defence for a match at Fulham which the Red Devils lost 3-0, and the midfielder told MUTV: "It did get a mention in the changing room. I said to Mike Phelan 'I don't fancy that again'."
He added: "It is never nice to get the injuries of course. It is disappointing when you pick up a number in a similar position.
"But I don't think we are that desperate yet and hopefully I won't be called upon."
Source: PA
