Man Utd Fan CLub

Monday 11 April 2011

Rafael is Only Doubt for United

Brazilian full-back Rafael is the only injury doubt for Sir Alex Ferguson as he prepares Manchester United for Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Chelsea.Rafael was forced off with a knee injury during United's 1-0 victory in the first leg at Stamford Bridge last week and was ruled out of Saturday's Premier League win over Fulham. Ferguson revealed the problem was merely bruising rather than ligament damage but the 20-year-old was restricted to running rather than ball work at the club's Carrington training complex on Monday morning.

Rafael's inclusion remains open to question with Wes Brown and John O'Shea both available to play at right-back after recovering from knocks. O'Shea returned to action against Fulham, Brown was on the substitutes' bench. "Rafael did a bit of jogging this morning,'' Ferguson said in his pre-match press conference. "Hopefully he will be able to be ready for tomorrow but I am not sure about it. "There is a little doubt and it is not something I want to be risking in a major game. He really has to do something special tomorrow morning to change my mind about it.''

With the exception of Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher, who has been laid low by a virus, the remainder of Ferguson's first-team squad took part in training. That included Rio Ferdinand, who also missed Saturday's game after returning from a calf injury at Stamford Bridge, and Wayne Rooney who was suspended. However, Rooney is available for the Champions League clash as United look to protect the one goal lead he gave them last week and book a semi-final place - almost certainly against German challengers Schalke.

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