Source: Telegraph
Sir Alex Ferguson hails Manchester United duo Jonny Evans and Wes Brown
Ferdinand and Vidic are both battling to overcome the calf injuries which sidelined the central defensive duo for the 2-0 victory at home to Blackburn on Saturday. [LNB]Vidic is understood to have an outside chance of facing the Russians in Tuesday night's Group B game at Old Trafford, in which a draw should secure progression to the knock-out stages for Manchester United. [LNB] Related ArticlesJudgment day looming for Manchester UnitedFerguson turns focus to ChelseaThe Daily Bung: not 'even' close, RobbieCarling Cup draw: Man United face SpursCristiano Ronaldo wants Wayne Rooney at RealSalgado: United must forget RonaldoBut Ferdinand, 31 this Saturday, has been ruled out by Ferguson, who admits the England man must now focus on getting fit for Sunday's trip to Chelsea. [LNB]Evans and Brown combined against Blackburn to help United keep their first clean sheet in the league since the 2-0 win at Stoke in September. [LNB]And although the pair remain understudies to Ferdinand and Vidic, Ferguson insists there are very few partnerships as good as United's back-up centre-halves. [LNB]He said: "A lot has been made about Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic being out, but when you have the back-up of Jonny Evans and Wes Brown it can't be bad. [LNB]"There aren't many partnerships in the Premier League better than Brown and Evans. [LNB]"We sent Vidic to a specialist and, hopefully, he's going to be all right on Tuesday. [LNB]"Rio is having treatment and Ryan Giggs, too, so neither will make Tuesday and we have a fight on our hands to have them ready for Chelsea on Sunday." [LNB]Midfielder Owen Hargreaves continues to search for full fitness, despite Ferguson claiming earlier this season that the England star would be fit in time for United's final three Champions League fixtures. [LNB]The former Bayern Munich man has yet to make a reserve appearance and is not in contention to face CSKA. [LNB]But the United manager insists that Hargreaves is making good progress following double knee surgery last January. [LNB]Ferguson said: "He has done fine and he's coming along great. I think in the next couple of weeks he should be near to coming back. [LNB]"It's difficult to assess to be honest with you. When a player has been out for a year with that type of injury, we're not pushing him in any way. [LNB]"We're doing it nice and calmly in terms of the football work he's doing, but he's coming on fine." [LNB]
