Jan 21 2009
Sir Alex Ferguson Faces Serious Injury Woes
Photo: Austin Osuide
Manchester United remained victorious against a very determined Derby County side, but at a high cost. Three of United’s finest youngsters suffered injuries in the match, Jonny Evans, Anderson, and Rafael. This will cause a huge blow to the club, as United have suffered injury woes at the right back position for a while now, with Wes Brown still injured and now Rafael out for at least three weeks, Gary Neville remains United’s sole option.
Jonny Evans will be missed, although he’s only out a week, and given Rio Ferdinand’s back problems, United have only one other capable centre back in John O’Shea, but the Irishman is already too busy covering for the injured Patrice Evra.
photo: Austin Osuide
The one bit of good news is that despite Anderson having playing brilliantly for United last night, the Brazilian will no doubt be the least missed. United are spoilt for talent and still have Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher and even Park to fill any holes in the midfield.
For a club with a world renowned defence, and one that just accomplished the remarkable feat of tying Chelsea’s previous record of ten successive clean sheets in the Premiership, the champions are in serious trouble.
Middlesbrough are the next club to find themselves in trouble with the FA, as the club has been charged over the behaviour of players during Boro’s 3-0 weekend defeat at the hands of West Brom. The incident occurred after Didier Digard received a red card for kicking out at Borja Valero, after which practically the entire Boro team crowded official Mark Halsey jostling the referee to the point Halsey dropped one of his cards on the ground.
If the League’s respect campaign is in any way alive, I can’t imagine Middlesbrough will get off light, given such a blatant display of dissent. No doubt this will take even more of a toll on struggling manager Gareth Southgate. And I’m already starting to wonder if Southgate has the chops to manage in the Premier League, or if he’s lost his nerve.
