Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Ferguson backs team selection for Rangers clash
Sir Alex Ferguson took a Champions League gamble and has now been left picking up the pieces for Sunday's showdown with arch rivals Liverpool. And on a night of double disappointment for the United manager he is also facing up to being without Antonio Valencia for the best part of the season after the winger suffered a sickening injury. Ferguson controversially made 10 changes to the side that drew 3-3 with Everton last Saturday and was forced to settle for a goal-less draw in the Battle of Britain with Rangers. But more damaging was the injury to Valencia, who suffered a suspected dislocation and fracture of the ankle in an incident that left players and fans unable to look. Despite the disappointing start to their Champions League campaign, Ferguson backed his decision to make wholesale changes. United 0 Rangers 0 - interactive player ratings The criticism will be why didn't I play a stronger team," he said. "I think I played a very strong team. People forget eight of them played against Chelsea in the Community Shield. "It's a terrific squad of players we have and there was no problem playing them. They should have won that game, but give credit to Rangers, their system is very difficult to break down. "I think we played with great intensity and good commitment. But Rangers just went back to the penalty box and it was successful. On Valencia, Ferguson added: It is a dislocation or a fracture and he gets operated on tomorrow morning. It was an innocuous challenge but when you saw the Rangers player waving, you knew it was a bad one. "It is a bad blow for the boy. It is similar to the injury Alan Smith got and you are talking about the rest of the season."