New Delhi: Sir Alex Ferguson may be forced to field a makeshift side against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup at the weekend, such is the extent of the club's mounting injuries.
The injuries are piling up at Manchester United as Rio Ferdinand; Anderson; Nani; Rafael; Wayne Rooney; Wes Brown; Ji Sung Park; and Patrice Evra, are all sidelined for the Tottenham Hotspur FA Cup game, with many unlikely to make a comeback before the month's end.
Brazilian midfielder Anderson was taken off the field of play during Tuesday's Carling Cup clash with Derby County, with initial fears of a break. Any trepidation was allayed though when further tests revealed ligament damage that will only keep the 20-year old for up to three weeks.
"We sent Anderson for a scan and there’s no break," Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed during a scheduled pre-match press conference.
"But there was some ligament damage. We think he’ll be out for three weeks."
He continued: "Rio Ferdinand, Anderson, Nani, Rafael, Patrice Evra, Wayne Rooney, Wes Brown, Jonny Evans and Ji-sung Park (hamstring injury) are all out for the Tottenham game.
"Nani suffered a groin injury and he’ll be out for a week. Jonny Evans [ankle] will be out for three weeks."
Regarding whom he will bring in to cover the injuries, Sir Alex said:
"We still have Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo fit. But we will have to call on some young players," he added.
"The injuries are mainly to the defenders - I've got a whole back four out for Saturday. I could play Darren Fletcher at right back, with Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic and John O’Shea, which would give me an experienced back four. But I’ve called in Richard Eckersley and Fabio, who could be involved.
"Rio and Wes could be back for the Everton game, if the match is on Monday," Ferguson added.
Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
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