Injury crisis looms for Man Utd

13 April 2012

Manchester United are facing an injury crisis ahead of their Champions League qualifier on Wednesday week.

United set off to Denmark today on the final leg of their pre-season travels with Fabien Barthez, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes all injured.

Barthez and Van Nistelrooy watched last night's 3-0 victory against Parma here from the sidelines after being struck down by thigh and shin injuries respectively. Scholes, meanwhile, was back at home to undergo a scan on the knee clattered by Romanian defender Cristian Chivu in Friday's defeat by Ajax. The problem is not thought to be serious but the England midfielder may require exploratory surgery today.

However, manager Sir Alex Ferguson is concerned about the possibility of facing NK Zagreb of Croatia or Hungary's Zalaegerszegi in the Champions League with three of his favoured players having missed a vital stage of their preparations.

'Fabien has some bruising and Ruud needs rest as we don't want him to get any worse,' said Ferguson last night. 'Paul will have a scan on his knee in the morning and if there's any doubt he will have an arthroscopy.'

Ferguson continues to pursue a striker to add to his squad, while he indicated this weekend that his defence still needs strengthening.

It is, however, unlikely the Scot will be spending a significant amount of money as chief executive Peter Kenyon has confirmed it is not possible financially.

Hence, suggestions circulating in Italy that Brazil striker Ronaldo is on his way to Old Trafford are way off course.

Kenyon said: 'The reality is that we just can't keep spending and adding players to the squad without selling. We haven't approached anybody about Ronaldo, nor has anybody approached us about him.'

With no Van Nistelrooy, Diego Forlan partnered Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last night, but the Uruguayan exhibited a continued lack of composure in front of goal.

One miss in particular summed up Forlan's difficulties as he skied a shot into the stands when staring into the goalkeeper's eyes early in the second half.

Hard working, brave and full of running, Forlan remains a fine prospect but until he develops the crucial striker's knack of remaining calm when opportunities rise, that is all he will ever be.

Thankfully for United, Forlan's error mattered little as they overcame their Italian opponents with some comfort. Ryan Giggs and Solskjaer scored admirable goals, but the one sandwiched in between them was of remarkable quality.

Chasing Roy Carroll's long clearance into the penalty area, Juan Sebastian Veron scored with a right-foot chip sublime in its execution. Coming so soon after Forlan's error, it only served to place the youngster's effort in stark and unforgiving context.

Having played so poorly against the hosts on Friday, this was a far better performance by United, who continue their pre- season work with a game against Aarhus tomorrow night and a friendly in aid of UNICEF against Argentina's Boca Juniors on Saturday.

Giggs opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Solskjaer and Forlan both had presentable chances before the Welshman galloped into the area to meet Wes Brown's fine cross on the volley.

Giggs spurned another chance as he drilled against the legs of goalkeeper Sebastien Frey but, in the wake of Veron's gem, Solskjaer ensured there would be no way back for Parma when he ghosted to the near post to head a David Beckham cross into the corner from an unmarked position.

Ferguson handed Rio Ferdinand his first 90 minutes in a United shirt, while Phil Neville revealed he has been assured of his position at the club. The defender said: 'I could not be happier than I am here. I am very settled. The manager wants me here. He has told me that and that is all I needed to hear.'

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