Rafael worry for Manchester United

11 April 2011 15:30

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has a major injury doubt over Brazilian defender Rafael ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Chelsea at Old Trafford.

The 20-year-old suffered a knee injury in last week's 1-0 first-leg win at Stamford Bridge. He was carried off on a stretcher but scans have shown there was no ligament damage and, although Rafael missed Saturday's Barclays Premier League win over Fulham, Ferguson did expect him to be fit for Tuesday's decider.

However, Rafael was restricted to running only at United's Carrington training complex this morning. And unless he makes a very speedy recovery, it appears his place will go to John O'Shea. "Rafael did a bit of jogging on Monday morning," said Ferguson.

"Hopefully he will be able to be ready for Tuesday but I am not sure about it.

"There is a little doubt and it is not something I want to be risking in a major game.

"He really has to do something special on Tuesday morning to change my mind about it."

With the exception of Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher, who has been laid low by a virus, the remainder of Ferguson's first-team squad were training.

That included Rio Ferdinand, who also missed Saturday's game after returning from a calf injury at Stamford Bridge, and Wayne Rooney who was suspended.

However, Rooney is available on Tuesday as United look to protect the one goal lead given to them by the England international last week and book a semi-final place almost certainly against German challengers Schalke.

Source: PA