Reds: Bumped, brusied, through

United’s 1-0 win over AS Roma sealed the Reds’ passage to the Champions League semi-final, but Sir Alex’s men picked up a few bumps and bruises along the way.

Rio Ferdinand, a surprise starter after leaving the Riverside Stadium on Sunday in a protective boot, required treatment on a foot injury at half-time, while Michael Carrick was taken off in the 74th minute.

“We’re very pleased to be through,” Sir Alex told Sky Sports after the final whistle.

“We were carrying a few injuries tonight. Rio had three stitches in his foot at half-time and Michael Carrick hurt his calf and we had to have a look at that as well.”

There was better injuries news, however, for Mikael Silvestre and Gary Neville, who both made their first United appearances after lengthy spells on the sideline.

Silvestre played the full 90 minutes, while club captain Neville made a nine-minute cameo as a central midfielder in the game’s dying stages.