Manchester United Injury Report

The injuries are [improving a bit]. It’s getting a little bit better- Sir Alex

After a delightful start to the season, Manchester United’s sudden turnaround of fortunes can be greatly attributed to the injury crisis which has claimed several casualties week after week. The English champions have faced a severe shortage of personnel over the last few games, with many crucial members of the first team missing from action. The curse looks particularly severe in the midfield and defense departments, with many indispensable players being sidelined due to injuries.

Vidic and Fletcher: Get well soon, we'll see you next season

United’s shock defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup and their embarrassing exit from the prestigious Champions League have raised several doubts over the team’s quality and potential this season. With a packed schedule of Premier League commitments to look forward to in the coming weeks, Sir Alex Ferguson will have to get back to the drawing board, with Fletcher and Vidic out for the rest of the season and a few still nursing injuries.

United’s game against QPR saw Javier Hernandez make a premature return to first team action, as the Mexican was expected to sit out for atleast another couple of weeks after sustaining an ankle injury against Aston Villa. United haven’t really had any real issues with scoring goals so far this season, and the team’s final third has been further bolstered by the news of Dimitar Berbatov regaining full fitness, the Bulgarian was an unused substitute at Loftus Road. Fergie can now hope to judiciously rotate his strikers in the forthcoming congested holiday period.

It’s good to have those two players [Berbatov and Chicharito] back.

Meanwhile, the news from the center of the park is not so inspiring. Darren Fletcher has taken an indefinite break from football to recover from ulcerative colitis — a chronic inflammatory bowel condition. This season’s sensation and revelation, Tom Cleverly, is still a couple of weeks away from training while his midfield partner Anderson’s knee injury should keep him out until February.

Fringe player Darron Gibson picked up a knock in a reserve game but the Irishman should be fit in time for the holiday period, which sees United play 5 games in 18 days, culminating in the FA Cup third round Manchester Derby.

The Men Who Matter

This leaves Michael Carrick, Phil Jones and Ryan Giggs as the primary options in the heart of midfield, a dreary situation for the champions, as they head into the crucial second half of the season. The manager will have to continue to resort to fielding wide players like Park Ji-Sung and Ashley Young in the middle.

Obviously we’d still like to have Anderson and Cleverley back, and a couple of others, but in the main we’re pleased with what we’ve got at the moment.

The news at the back is not any better, with Serbian wall Nemanja Vidic being ruled out for the rest of the campaign after rupturing a cruciate ligament in Basel. Vidic’s absence is a huge blow to United, a player without whom the defense has looked extremely vulnerable. The defensive duties will have to be shouldered by Rio Ferdinand who needs to be ably supported by a jittery Jonny Evans and an inexperienced Chris Smalling.

Right back Rafael, who has been a mere spectator this season, is back in training, almost three weeks after hurting himself in his comeback game against Crystal Palace. His twin brother Fabio is another one on the physio’s roster, and the full back is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in the same match and fans can hope to see him on the flanks by the turn of the new year.

Rafa’s training now, he maybe just needs a reserve game.

The Da Silva twins: Time to get back on the field?

Sir Alex was recently asked about the duo’s persistent injury concerns, here’s what he had to say about the young full-backs:

They’re so sturdy. They’re strong boys but, possibly, they’re a wee bit optimistic in terms of the challenges they make. They always put a foot in, in terms of attacking-wise, and are always getting injured going into attacking moves. I’m hoping that maturity eradicates all these things they have but it’s all different types of injuries you know.

Sir Alex remains upbeat about his team’s form and chances for the title, but in reality, the squad does lack depth in the absence of so many first team players. The frontline is back up to strength but the midfield remains the real cause of worry. Fans will be hoping that the makeshift midfield holds strong in testing times and emerge out with flying colors. With the January transfer window fast approaching, Fergie might be looking at bringing in some reinforcements to challenge the ‘Noisy Neighbours’ and salvage some pride in Europe.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda for more Manchester United injury updates.