Injuries increase significance of West Ham challenge for Ferguson

Published on Friday 1 April 2011 16:29

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United's treble quest could hinge on the outcome of this lunchtime's visit to West Ham. Ferguson said earlier this week that emulating the heroes of 1999 would be far harder than completing the initial historic hat-trick was 12 years ago.

Although there are some formidable barriers in the way, including a two-legged Champions League quarter-final with title rivals Chelsea and an eagerly-awaited FA Cup semi-final against neighbours Manchester City, Ferguson's assessment is more to do with the injuries he has to contend with.

Despite a two-week break, Ferguson is worse off defensively than he was for the win over Bolton a fortnight ago. Whilst the return of skipper Nemanja Vidic is a huge boost, the suspension of Jonny Evans and injury to Wes Brown deny him any selection options. With Brazilian Fabio virtually certain to slot in at right-back, United head to Upton Park in a weakened state.

Ferguson said: "The big one is tomorrow because we are depleted in one area of the pitch," said the United manager. "With eight games to go, you can't exclude anyone. Whoever is the most consistent will win this league. This game is as important as any."

On the basis that Evans will be available for Wednesday's Champions League trip to Stamford Bridge even if United resist the temptation to push Rio Ferdinand back into action two months after he was forced to pull out of the defeat at Wolves with a calf injury, Ferguson will have more bodies in midweek.

By the time his team square up to Fulham at Old Trafford on 9 April, the United manager also expects to have Brown and John O'Shea in his squad, in addition to Ferdinand.