United fought their way through to the Carling Cup Final, seeing off Championship Derby with three first-half goals but suffered a string of injuries in the process…
Ferguson once again went with his B-team – resting the likes of Van der sar, Vidic, Carrick, Berbatov and Rooney. Foster came returned in goal, while Neville captained the side at centre-back with Rafael at right-back. Tevez started up front with Wellbeck. New signing Tosic was on the bench, along with Scholes and Ronaldo.
The match itself was a decent enough spectacle, with Derby putting on a late show to make things interesting, courtesy of two Giles Barnes goals – one from the spot, the other a stunning free-kick. United had done the damage by that point with goals from Nani, O’Shea and Tevez, before Ronaldo converted a spot-kick of his own to sandwich the two Barnes strikes.
It’s the United injuries that are the major talking points for fantasy managers however. Giggs, Neville and Tevez all picked up minor knocks which shouldn’t present major concerns for Ferguson. However, the injuries to Evans, Anderson and Rafael looked more serious and seem set to lead to periods of absence.
Evans suffered an ankle problem late on – by which time Ferguson had used all the United subs. Rafael earlier suffered a torn hamstring, Nani sustained a groin strain in the closing stages and finally, Anderson was stretched off with an ankle injury which was later revealed as the most pressing concern for Ferguson.
“Anderson’s injury looks to be the worst, he’ll go straight to hospital for an x-ray,” revealed the United boss.
It will be the Evans injury that is the most concerning for fantasy managers however. He has emerged as a key budget fantasy signing in recent weeks in the absence of Ferdinand. The good news for his owners is that Ferguson predicts that Evans will return within a week.
“He (Evans) has had a recurrence of his ankle injury which has been troubling for a few weeks now, but hopefully he’ll be OK in a week’s time,” remarked Ferguson.
Presumably, this still rules him out of the FA Cup tie this weekend and makes him a doubt for the trip to West Brom in midweek. There was talk of a Ferdinand return for these games, regardless of the status of Evans but there’s no confirmation of this as yet. This ankle injury for Evans may push Neville or O’Shea into a central role should Ferdinand not make it.
The Rafael setback is another consideration. He’ll reportedly be out for around three weeks. This should offer greater security for Gary Neville’s starting role at right-back, although Wes Brown is nearing fitness, so he’ll enter that particular equation soon. Anderson’s injury will see him undergo x-rays this week. His absence would seem likely to make Carrick’s starting role that little more secure. Neville and Carrick then, could be worthy of increased attention in the short-term.
As a side note, both Rafael and Fletcher moved on to the suspension tightrope with their fourth bookings of the season in this one.