18-01-2010, 04:43 PM
New reports from today on Berbatov's injury
Berbatov suffers dead leg
Red Devils striker not suffering from knee injury as first feared
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Dimitar Berbatov was not withdrawn against Burnley on Saturday because of his troublesome knee problem.
The Bulgarian international put off exploratory surgery on the knee last week after feeling no ill-effects of a full week's warm weather training in Qatar.
The Red Devils manager had confessed after the game that his £30.75million record signing was substituted on 74 minutes because of the knee complaint but he has now admitted that it was a dead leg that was troubling the striker.
However the former Tottenham frontman is still set to miss the Carling Cup semi-final first-leg against Manchester City at Eastlands on Tuesday thanks to the knock and will be assessed in training on the morning of the match.
"I thought Dimitar had got a knock on the knee," Ferguson said.
"It turned out it was a dead leg and we are having a look at that. I am hoping he will be all right but he is a doubt and we will see what he is like in the morning."
Ruled out
Ferguson also stated that both Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand would not be considered despite the England defender closing in on full fitness.
"Rio is training quite well now. He is a lot closer now but he is not in contention for tomorrow," he added.
The Scot is likely to mix experience with youth for the tie with Darron Gibson and Rafael and Fabio Da Silva also expected to be called upon but Ferguson insists he is yet to make up his mind.
"I have got to think about getting a mix in terms of the programme we have got and also the fact I have given young players a game in the past," he pointed out.
"I will have a strongish team but there will be some young players as well."
Berbatov suffers dead leg
Red Devils striker not suffering from knee injury as first feared
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Dimitar Berbatov was not withdrawn against Burnley on Saturday because of his troublesome knee problem.
The Bulgarian international put off exploratory surgery on the knee last week after feeling no ill-effects of a full week's warm weather training in Qatar.
The Red Devils manager had confessed after the game that his £30.75million record signing was substituted on 74 minutes because of the knee complaint but he has now admitted that it was a dead leg that was troubling the striker.
However the former Tottenham frontman is still set to miss the Carling Cup semi-final first-leg against Manchester City at Eastlands on Tuesday thanks to the knock and will be assessed in training on the morning of the match.
"I thought Dimitar had got a knock on the knee," Ferguson said.
"It turned out it was a dead leg and we are having a look at that. I am hoping he will be all right but he is a doubt and we will see what he is like in the morning."
Ruled out
Ferguson also stated that both Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand would not be considered despite the England defender closing in on full fitness.
"Rio is training quite well now. He is a lot closer now but he is not in contention for tomorrow," he added.
The Scot is likely to mix experience with youth for the tie with Darron Gibson and Rafael and Fabio Da Silva also expected to be called upon but Ferguson insists he is yet to make up his mind.
"I have got to think about getting a mix in terms of the programme we have got and also the fact I have given young players a game in the past," he pointed out.
"I will have a strongish team but there will be some young players as well."