Fergie: United survive striker crisis

(GSM) – Sir Alex Ferguson believes United have the personnel and the spirit to overcome the latest in this season’s long line of injury problems.

With Michael Owen and now Wayne Rooney sidelined, the boss is putting his faith in Dimitar Berbatov and Federico Macheda to maintain the Reds’ quest for more silverware.

“One thing you cannot dismiss with Berbatov is his talent,” Sir Alex said on Friday.

“I don’t enjoy leaving him out of the big games and I felt that he changed the situation a little bit when he came on against Bayern Munich in midweek,” he added.

Federico Macheda’s timely return from injury could also be crucial in the Reds’ fight for the title. It has been almost a year since that incredible injury-time goal against Aston Villa and Sir Alex is hoping the 18 year-old can have a similar impact this term.

“His goal last year against Aston Villa was vital as it galvanised us at an important time of the season,” Sir Alex told us.

“For a young boy to come on and do what he did really earmarked him to me as one that has a great chance of making it here. He is an exceptional talent. As good a talent as I’ve seen in a young boy,” he told.

United boss said, “He hasn’t had much football in the past 12 months but he’s a strong lad and he has been training very well. We’re very pleased with that. He will definitely be involved on Saturday, as will Ryan Giggs who has just recovered from a broken arm. He could be very important.”

Sir Alex isn’t just relying on Berbatov, Giggs and Macheda to cover for Rooney, however – he’s taking heart from the way his entire squad has pulled together during previous injury crises and kept the club in the hunt for silverware.

He feel positive of his team, “Wayne is obviously a loss but if you look at us over the season we have been missing defenders and midfielders and yet we are still a point clear at the top of the league in April. We’re in the middle of the Champions League quarter-final with an away goal advantage, and we have also won the League Cup.”

“The players will not let Wayne’s absence upset them. They know the incentive for the next two big games. We have been in worse situations this season, having to win without two or three big players. And we’ve coped,” he explained.