Manchester United are still three points top of the league, despite suffering a number of injuries to key personnel. Here are five of the toughest breaks they have suffered.
Anders Lindegaard
Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard will feel like punching a wall every time he thinks of his ankle injury. After a year of patiently waiting and impressing in odd starts, he looked to be making the number one spot his own, with David de Gea showing signs of uncertainty during his opening months, and he deserved his opportunity. He has been out since early February, and since then De Gea has stepped up to the plate. Lindegaard may struggle to get the starters spot back when next season comes around.
Tom Cleverley
Cleverley begun the season like a house on fire, he was instrumental in United’s early performances, displaying immense promise for the season ahead. From the moment Kevin Davies hacked him down against Bolton, he has never been the same. He is now fit and available, but has not been able to dislodge the returned Paul Scholes from the starting line-up, and when he has had an opportunity he has failed to grasp it with the same nettle he did at the season’s start.
Nemanja Vidic
Vidic’s absence should have been a fatal blow to United’s league chances, but it says everything about the strength of the squad that they have been able to cope without him. Jonny Evans has stepped up in central defence alongside Rio Ferdinand and for the majority of the time Vidic has not been missed. Would they have conceded four at home to Everton with their captain in the side? A freak result is a freak result, but we’re not so sure Vidic would have allowed it to happen.
Anderson
Brazilian midfielder Anderson begun the season in fine form, although trailed off, saving his worst performance for the Manchester derby. Nevertheless his absence has been a blow for United, who at times have looked short of options and energy in midfield, which Anderson certainly provides. Had he returned a month ago for the title run-in it would have been a huge boost for the club, but this season will go down as another opportunity missed to cement his United future.
Darren Fletcher
OK with Fletcher we’re talking illness not injury, but his loss has been important. The Scot is one of a kind in United’s squad, and had he been fit, would have been exactly the type of player required to shore up their midfield at 4-2 against Everton. He also surely would have been a starter at the Etihad in next week’s derby, and Ferguson will wish he was an option available to him. United fans will cross their fingers he can make a comeback next season.
The loss of these five players, plus lengthy injuries to Rafael, Nani, and Young have all been big blows to United but they have coped with it extremely well. Rio Ferdinand has managed to stay injury-free, negating the loss of Vidic, and the large size of their squad has proved invaluable. Compare this to say, Spurs, who have struggled with Aaron Lennon injured and a lack of rotation, and it shows Ferguson knows what he is doing when building a squad that can challenge for the title.
In midfield the injuries hit them especially hard, where they were probably one or two short any way, and without Paul Scholes coming back, they may still be trailing City by this point, which shows just what a great decision it was to bring him back to the fold.
Which injuries hit United the most? Would any of their rivals have been able to cope with similar setbacks?
image: © nasmac
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
