Boss hopeful on injuries

Sir Alex Ferguson has indicated that United’s injury situation may not be as bad as first feared despite losing Nemanja Vidic, John O’Shea and Louis Saha through injury against Wigan.

Saha aggravated his knee in the warm-up and was forced to withdraw from the squad after initially being down as a substitute.

Vidic lasted 21 minutes before being replaced by Anderson after receiving a bang to the head, while O’Shea, who temporarily took Vidic’s position in the centre of defence, left the fray eight minutes later with a dead leg.

The additions of Saha, Vidic and O’Shea to United’s seemingly ever-growing injury list, means there are now enough players in the stands to field a complete side. But with the international break now upon us, Sir Alex is hopeful things will be looking up when domestic action resumes on 20 October.

“Louis felt his knee in the warm-up and in Louis’ situation we had to withdraw him unfortunately,” the boss revealed on MUTV.

“Nemanja’s been taken to hospital and he has concussion so they’re giving him some tests. John O’Shea has just got a dead leg. He’ll be OK in a couple of weeks I’m sure.”

The United manager also revealed that both Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves are making good progress with their recovery from leg and knee injuries respectively.

“Hopefully Darren will be back soon,” said Sir Alex. “He starts full training on Monday which is good news.

“I hope Owen Hargreaves will be available in two or three weeks time as well.”