Manchester United
have injury concerns over Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs ahead of the
Champions League game at CSKA Moscow on
Wednesday.
Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping that
Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic, who missed Saturday's 2-1 Premier
League win over Bolton Wanderers here at Old Trafford with an ankle
injury, will be fit enough to return in mid-week.
But he admits he has concerns over
both Evra and Giggs after they sustained knocks against
Bolton.
It was not a convincing
performance from United but they returned to the top of the table
thanks to Chelsea's loss to Aston Villa. And although Ferguson is calling for improvements
at the back - his defence have kept just three clean sheets in nine
Premier League matches - he was happy to move back to the top of
the table despite suffering further injuries.
United's defence was the key to
last season's title win and although Ferguson reckons the league is
tougher this season, he believes his players can do
better.
"Giggs is doubtful for Moscow with
a knock," said Ferguson as he surveyed his casualty list.
"Evra we will look at tomorrow
(Sunday) and he may be doubtful. Vidic should be okay and
definitely will be fit for Liverpool (a week on Sunday).
"I think (Dimitar) Berbatov will
be okay and we will try and get Wayne Rooney ready but he will be
okay for Liverpool."
Ferguson added: "In the past few
years we have had runs of games when we haven't lost goals and
that's been important in winning the championship and we have to
get back to that.
"We were in a comfort zone at 2-0
and maybe we were relaxed in terms of our play and we should have
finished the game off but we didn't.
"Sometimes you can leave yourself
regretting that but we got through and with the other results it's
been a good day for us.
"All the top teams have to accept
it's a tough league."
Veteran Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van
der Sar played for the first time since suffering a hand injury in
pre-season and Ferguson feels that the former Ajax player will make
a big difference to his defence.
"Edwin was fantastic. He has the
composure and the experience and steadiness at the back that's what
his career is about."
