Paul Scholes insists Manchester United's injury woes will not
have a negative effect on their performance against Wolfsburg on
Tuesday night. United have travelled to Germany without 14 senior
players as they chase the point required to be certain of topping
Group B.
While Sir Alex Ferguson has rested Ryan Giggs, he is also
missing 13 players through injury, including all his defenders with
the exception of Patrice Evra.
Ferguson is trying to persuade Evra to slot into a central
defensive role alongside Michael Carrick, even though the Frenchman
will be giving almost a foot away to Wolfsburg danger-man Edin
Dzeko. Darron Gibson could be another alternative but either way,
the changes appear to leave United woefully exposed.
The injuries have forced Ferguson to raid the youth team for
replacements and the son of club chief executive David Gill,
19-year-old Oliver, has been drafted in as emergency cover.
However, Scholes does not believe it is a situation his
team-mates should be concerned about.
"It doesn't change too much,'' said Scholes. "We always try to
play the same way no matter who is in the team. Sometimes you have
to fill positions you are not used to. There are 19 players here
and I am sure we can cope.''
There's no doubt Ferguson's mind will be wandering to Saturday's
encounter with Aston Villa and how many of his injury victims might
return. John O'Shea and Jonny Evans have no chance but Nemanja
Vidic should have shrugged off his flu virus.
However, the only other potential comeback to face Villa is Wes
Brown, who limped out of Saturday's win at West Ham in the final
minute with a hamstring injury.
"We hope we can get Wes fit but it is not going to be an easy
one,'' said the United boss. "That is my concern at the moment;
getting players back from injury. I have to look at the bigger
picture at this stage. I have to look at Saturday and future league
games after that. The truth is we have already qualified from this
group.''