According to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, youngster Paul Pogba may feature tomorrow in the Europa League match versus Ajax. The Red Devils currently hold a 2-0 advantage over the Dutch side in this two-legged tie and the return leg tomorrow is at Old Trafford. United have a tricky away league match on Sunday versus Norwich City and it is likely that Fergie will keep that in mind when he selects his team tomorrow. When asked about Pogba's possible inclusion tomorrow, here is what the Gaffer said:

"It's possible, but it depends on the rest of the team."

- Ferguson | Source: ManUtd.com

On the 'rest of the team':

"There are a lot of players who need a game, players who haven't been playing lately. Nani, Ashley Young, Javier Hernandez, Tom Cleverley, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones... they all need games and they'll all play tomorrow in whatever position I decide to play them. Then we'll hope to get a sprinkling of experience amongst it."

- Ferguson

One player that has been ruled out is our talisman -- Wayne Rooney apparently is ill:

"Rooney is out for tomorrow. He has a bad throat. There were traces of it in Amsterdam last Thursday and he's been in bed for a lot of the weekend. He came in this morning for the first time. We're trying hard to get him ready for Sunday [at Norwich]."

- Ferguson

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It wasn't the most convincing performance by Manchester United, but it was comfortable enough for a 2-0 away victory in Europe. However, the Red Devils defeat of Ajax came at a price -- in-form Antonio Valencia was forced to withdraw from the match after sustaining a hamstring injury. The Ecuadorian winger came on as a substitute for Ashley Young in the 76th minute but he was withdrawn just 10 minutes later. Just prior to United's 2nd goal, Valencia burst of pace help ignite the build-up but the knock he received resulted in this hamstring injury. Here is what United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had to say after the match in regards to Valencia:

"He has a hamstring injury unfortunately. It will be four weeks. It's a blow to lose Valencia tonight, but bit by bit, we are getting stronger with Nani and Ashley Young coming back. Tom Cleverley has played a bit of football tonight and Phil Jones has played a full game which is good for us. Chris Smalling was on the bench but will play in the return match at Old Trafford next Thursday."

- Ferguson | Source: ManUtd.com

Quite obviously, it was a big step forward on the injury front to see Nani, Young, Cleverley, and Jones return to action. In addition, Smalling was fit enough for the bench tonight after he recently recovered from his own injury as well. However, losing Valencia is a big blow as he's arguably been United's most impressive attacking player since the new year. The winger was unplayable at times in January and his impressive form was fortunate during a time when United were without Nani and Young. Hopefully Nani and Young can not only find their fitness soon, but also the impressive form each exhibited earlier in the season -- it will be needed instantly because of Valencia's injury.

Manchester United took off for Amsterdam today ahead of their Thursday Europa League tie with Ajax and three notable names were not amongst the 20-player squad that traveled: Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra, and Dimitar Berbatov. The former two likely remained home to preserve their long-term fitness while the exclusion of the latter is a bit surprising -- perhaps the Bulgarian striker is carrying a knock. Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Nani and Tom Cleverley all appear recovered from their recent injuries as each has been included in the squad for this match. Here is the full 20-man squad that traveled to Amsterdam:

* Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Ben Amos

* Defenders: Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Rafael, Fabio, Zeki Fryers

* Central-midfielders: Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Tom Cleverley, Paul Pogba

* Wingers: Antonio Valencia, Park Ji-sung, Nani, Ashley Young

* Strikers: Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez (Chicharito), Danny Welbeck

Darren Fletcher and captain Nemanja Vidic are both still ruled out for the season while the likes of Anders Lindegaard, Anderson, and Michael Owen are still out for the near-term with injuries. For this match, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that he would play his "strongest team." While deploying a strong side is obvious when one scans this 20-man traveling squad, preservation is likely on the mind of the United boss as the 38-year-old Giggs and vice-captain Evra -- who has logged heavy minutes this season -- being left behind indicates. This way of thinking may also hint at a rest for Ferdinand -- who has a chronic back issue -- and for the 37-year-old Scholes -- who has been involved in all 7 matches since his return from retirement. Cleverley is a strong candidate to start alongside Carrick in the center of the park. United have no game at the weekend so that is not a concern for Fergie when he selects his side tomorrow.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson held his weekly pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of his side's upcoming weekend clash with Liverpool FC (Match Preview: Manchester United vs. Liverpool). The headline news on the injury front is that Tom Cleverley is set to face Liverpool tomorrow afternoon. The midfielder was off to a stellar start at the season's beginning but injuries have plagued him since the Fall. His last appearance for the club was at Goodison Park on October 29 when he limped off versus Everton FC. Here is what Fergie had to say about Cleverley:

"Tom's training well. We were disappointed the Chelsea Reserves game was called off on Monday. The plan was for him to stay over with us [after last Sunday's first-team game at Stamford Bridge] and play in the game on the Monday. That was called off. But he's trained very well and he'll be involved tomorrow."

Source: ManUtd.com

Fergie also provided this overall update on his squad, including specific mentions of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones:

"There’s not much change on the injury front for us. I think Smalling could be available, but all the rest is as it was last Sunday. Phil Jones got a knock against Manchester City, which he never quite recovered from. He'll be fit for next week. He'll be fit for the Ajax game."

If "not much change on the injury front" is accurate for United, that means the likes of captain Nemanja Vidic, Darren Fletcher, Anders Lindegaard, Michael Owen, Nani, and Anderson are all unlikely to be available tomorrow -- along with Jones. No mention was made of Rio Ferdinand so we are only left to assume that his chronic back issue will not prevent him from featuring at Old Trafford.

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson took his press conference this morning and the main news is regarding the goalkeeper situation. Our "number one" has injured his ankle ligaments, From Sky Sports

""De Gea should be fit. It looks like Lindegaard will be out for at least four weeks, maybe even five or six. It's ankle ligaments.

If Fergie is mentioning that David De Gea is fit, that suggests that he will slide back into the number one jersey in Anders's absence. Ben Amos done well against Stoke, but that was his first Premier League start, so I can understand the reasoning of sticking De Gea back into the mix, even if I don't agree.

Fergie also had this to offer on the other injuries

"We're a bit better in terms of injuries. I hope Wayne Rooney, Nani, Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young will all be in the squad. Rooney and Nani have trained for the last two days. It's more likely Tom will play against Chelsea reserves on Monday but he'll travel [on Sunday]."

Good news. This seriously enhances our depth and options. Most exciting is that, although it is seriously unlikely he will play, Tom Cleverley is very near to a return.

I expect Rooney to start, and maybe Nani to start on the bench, but wouldn't be suprised if he started. My thoughts behind this is that Park Ji-sung has been in very good form, coming off the left wing and his industry will be very helpful at the Bridge. Antonio Valencia is in no danger of being dropped. Also, if we need a goal, Nani is a very dangerous sub to bring on.

So, how relieved are you that our squad is nearing full strength once again? How much of a miss will Anders be?

According to a report by the Daily Mail, both Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea are out for tonight's match versus Stoke City. Lindegaard is reported to have "left the training ground on crutches" while de Gea supposedly "called in sick." The Dane has recently being given the opportunity to become United's No. 1 and he was anticipated to start versus the Potters tonight because of the unique physical and aerial threat that they present. de Gea was superb versus Stoke in the reverse fixture but his dip in form -- particularly his struggles in commanding his box -- has led to him being dropped. The past weekend saw the Spaniard put in another nervy performance at Anfield versus rival LIverpool FC during a FA Cup clash.

This suddenly leaves the club with either third-choice goalkeeper Ben Amos or last season's second-choice Thomas Kuszczak as the only options for tonight's match. This might be a stiff test for the 19-year-old Amos against a physical Stoke side. There are rumblings out there that it will be Kuszczak getting the start tonight while the youngster Amos will be on the bench. The Poland international sought a transfer during the past summer transfer window after United signed de Gea. However, a move away from Old Trafford never materialized and since then, Kuszczak has only made appearances for the Reserves' side. It's been a bit puzzling as many have wondered why he hasn't been able to secure a move away to another club. His desire to compete to be a No. 1 somewhere was evident this past summer as he was keen on earning a place for Poland's Euro 2012 squad -- a competition that they will co-host this upcoming summer.

In about 30 minutes from this being published, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to release his team sheet for tonight's match. Is this report by the Daily Mail true?

Saturday sucked. Champions move on. There is still a title to defend and an opportunity to go two titles clear of rival Liverpool in the grand picture of England's footballing history -- that would certainly trump any FA Cup Round 4 victory in 2012. Anyway (trying not to be bitter)...

There's a bit of possible good news in regards to the dire and unending injury situation to the Manchester United squad: Rio Ferdinand may be in line for a recovery from his chronic back issue in time for Tuesday's league clash with Stoke City at Old Trafford. Although the former United and England captain's back injury has proven unpredictable in recent times, manager Sir Alex Ferguson appears hopeful of the defender's return -- here is the United's boss comments in regards to it prior to United's match at Anfield versus Liverpool on Saturday:

"Rio only had one real training session on Friday and we couldn't gamble with only that preparion behind him [for the FA Cup clash]. He'll train tomorrow and on Monday and could be ready for Tuesday."

Source: ManUtd.com

In addition to this news, Fergie indicated that he is hopeful that talisman Wayne Rooney and influential winger Nani could possibly be fit for United's trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday for an important league clash versus Chelsea FC. With the current injury to Phil Jones -- and obviously to the season-ending one to captain Nemanja Vidic -- a return of Ferdinand would provide much needed depth at center-back for the squad -- more than anything, it provides an opportunity to rotate the squad. Despite the defeat at Anfield, Rafael's impressive performance at right-back signaled a return to his previous promise and it allowed Chris Smalling to operate in his natural center-back position.

Not much was revealed in regards to the injury situation for the Manchester United squad during manager Sir Alex Ferguson's weekly press conference on Friday. Fergie isn't typically forthcoming anyway when commenting on the availability of his squad but his comments today were especially brief:

"I can’t give you much of an update on injuries. Hopefully we'll have two or three training this morning and we'll be better by tomorrow. It is not the best situation for us."

Source: ManUtd.com

At the current moment, it is believed that up to 12 players may potentially be unavailable for United's visit to Anfield tomorrow for their FA Cup clash versus Liverpool FC. Darren Fletcher and captain Nemanja Vidic are already confirmed to be out for the remainder of the current season due to illness and injury, respectively. In addition, the likes of Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Anderson, and Michael Owen are all believed to out as well as they continue to recover from their injuries. Furthermore, during United's 2-1 away victory over Arsenal last weekend, Phil Jones, Wayne Rooney, Nani, and Michael Carrick all picked up knocks -- their availability for Anfield is uncertain. Rio Ferdinand's availability is uncertain as well after he missed the Arsenal tie due to his recurring back injury.

Of the "two or three" that Fergie is hoping for that could come through in training today, Ando, Young, Cleverley, Carrick, and Ferdinand appear to the most likeliest candidates. Ando, Young, and Cleverley are all though to be nearing full recovery while Carrick's hamstring knock isn't though to be too severe -- the midfielder was able to finish the match at the Emirates after sustaining the knock. Ferdinand's back situation is simply an unpredictable one as he's recently been both a surprise inclusion or exclusion on matchdays.

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