Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Injuries mount up for Fergie

06 Dec 2009 - 10:35:32

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Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Saturday's 4-0 rout of West Ham United has left him with a major defensive selection headache.

United closed to within two points of leaders Chelsea after sweeping the struggling Hammers aside at Upton Park.

Paul Scholes' third goal of the season gave the Red Devils an interval lead, before clinical second-half strikes from Darron Gibson, Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney finished the job in this one-sided contest.

However, Gary Neville and Wes Brown forced off with injuries and could join a host of other United defenders currently on the sidelines.

Midfield trio Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs finished the game in a patched-up back four and Ferguson may be forced to play Carrick at centre-half against Wolfsburg in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Nemanja Vidic is expected to shake off a bout of flu which prevented him playing against the Hammers, but Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea, Jonny Evans, Fabio and Rafael Da Silva remain absent through injury.

"The injuries in defence are becoming a bit of a headache to us. Carrick stepped in and did very, very well. He's got the composure and the pace and it was a good performance in the second half. We used out experience," said Ferguson.

"We had six defenders missing before the game, Gary Neville has had to come off after half an hour and then of course Wes Brown has had to come off.

"I am hoping Nemanja Vidic will be okay for Wednesday. He missed the game with flu.

"We will probably play with Michael Carrick again. I thought he did very well."