Sir Alex Ferguson reveals injury concerns for derby
 Ferguson's side are two points behind league leaders Chelsea Manchester United's preparations for the derby at Manchester City have been hampered by injuries and a virus affecting some of their players. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled Ryan Giggs and Owen Hargreaves out of the game, while Nani is a doubt. "Ryan is out," said Ferguson. "Nani is doubtful. At this stage it doesn't look as if he will make it." A flu virus has also put a doubt over several players and Ferguson added: "We are counting heads at the moment." Paul Scholes, Dimitar Berbatov and Nemanja Vidic are believed to be three players suffering from the virus. "I've no idea where to begin with my team, no ideas at all at the moment," stated Ferguson.
Giggs has been denied the chance of making a record 34th derby outing because of a hamstring injury, while Nani is struggling with the groin problem he suffered in the Champions League win at Bursaspor. Hargreaves faces five weeks out after going off after 10 minutes in the 2-1 win over Wolves last Saturday as he made his long awaited comeback. That victory moved Ferguson's side two points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, who were beaten at Liverpool, while big spending City are only three points adrift of United heading into a derby which now carries extra significance. "Now the game between ourselves and City is one of great intensity," explained Ferguson. "It's built up by the media explosion around what City are doing and trying to achieve in their own way and the fact we're both in the same city. "There's an incredible intensity in the derby game now which wasn't there 10 or 15 years ago."
United dramatically won both league games with injury-time winners last season and also emerged victorious from their two-legged Carling Cup semi-final. Although City embarked on a major spending spree in the summer, Ferguson has stated that this did not guarantee silverware. "If clubs have money and want to spend it, they will," said Ferguson. "Chelsea did the same. So did Sunderland back in the 1950s. "It is not an unusual thing. It is a fact of life. The only difference is that City is an untapped well at the moment. "But it is difficult to say whether it is inevitable they are going to win the league at some point. "Obviously, in many people's eyes, having the money is a lot better than not having it. "But it is still a difficult league to win. City recognise that themselves." City boss Roberto Mancini was diplomatic about the rivalry between the two clubs but insisted his team had the belief that they are capable of defeating United.
"We have respect for United and Ferguson because he is the top manager in the world but we understand that we can beat them now. I think it will be a good game." Mancini is expected to be without striker Mario Balotelli, who is appealing his red card in the win at West Brom on Sunday, while fellow forward Emmanuel Adebayor is a doubt with a calf strain. But former Manchester United frontman Carlos Tevez is fit to face his previous employers as Mancini reiterated his view that Chelsea would win the Premier League and that his side were chasing a Champions League qualification spot by finishing in the top four. "I think that Chelsea will win the Premier League but I think that all the other teams that are near them can try [to win it] because the season is long and difficult," added the Italian. "Our target must be Champions League. At this moment we must just think game after game. We have United and we should only think about this game." | ||||||
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