Injury woes for United after victory

12 April 2012

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was counting the cost of a series of injuries to key players after his side reached the Carling Cup final with victory over Derby.

United's 4-2 second-leg triumph over the Rams confirmed a Wembley date - almost certainly with Tottenham - on March 1. But it is Saturday's meeting with Spurs in the FA Cup that will concern Ferguson most as he copes with a massive injury crisis.

Aside from Anderson, carried off after the final whistle, and Rafael - who hobbled off just before half-time with a torn hamstring - Nani, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs all failed to complete the full 90 minutes and Ferguson said: "There are probably six or seven of them who have picked up injuries."

He added: "It has been a bad night in that respect.

Defender Jonny Evans did get to the final whistle but was limping badly with an ankle injury.

"We finished with 10 men. But it was effectively nine, because Jonny was in great discomfort. We will just have to see what happens now," Ferguson added.

The fitness woes took the gloss of another final for Ferguson, his 14th from 15 domestic semi-finals. Nani curled United in front before John O'Shea and Carlos Tevez put the Red Devils into a comfortable half-time lead.

Substitute Cristiano Ronaldo tapped home a penalty in between two efforts from Giles Barnes - who is just coming back from his own injury troubles - to ensure there were no serious late worries against Nigel Clough's men.

Derby manager, Clough, admitted poor defending cost his side the chance of causing an upset at Old Trafford.

"The first goal knocked the stuffing out of us; 30 yards in the top corner ... you can't do much about those," he said. "Defending the second and third goals was disappointing. But it was a vast improvement on Saturday - even the first half."

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