Man United: Sir Alex ahead of FA Cup clash with Spurs

Manchester United are facing an injury crisis that could derail their bid for a clean sweep this season. The European and English champions head into Saturday's FA Cup clash against Tottenham with a depleted defence and a steadily lengthening injury list that may undermine their hopes of a full set of silverware. Rio Ferdinand has missed United's past eight matches with a back injury but is nearing full fitness and Wes Brown is close to a comeback following ankle surgery in November. Patrice Evra picked up a foot injury in the 3-0 Barclays Premier League win over Chelsea and is not likely to return to action until early February, when Wayne Rooney is also set to return following a hamstring injury. Rafael will be sidelined for at least a month after suffering a torn hamstring in Tuesday's Carling Cup victory over Derby, while Park Ji-Sung will also miss the Tottenham game with a hamstring strain. Jonny Evans and Anderson both have ankle injuries, Owen Hargeaves is out for the rest of the season after surgery on both knees, while Nani will be sidelined for at least a week after suffering a groin strain against Derby. Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs both picked up knocks against Derby too but could feature this weekend. Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Other managers for years and years have pursued the hope that they are going to have a winter break. "That's the very reason we'd like to have a winter break - to get rid of the little strains they (players) carry right through December and January. "But it's not to be and so the result is that the strains become injuries and then they miss games and that is the position we are in."

» More on this story... «

ITN | January 23, 2009

Tags:. .nani. .strain. .silverware. .lengthening. .sung