Four key Manchester United players miss training ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk clash

Marouane Fellaini

Under-fire Manchester United manager David Moyes may have to do without four more members of his squad for tomorrow night’s Champions League fixture with Shakhtar Donetsk, as a raft of injuries descends on Old Trafford. In addition to the injury to Michael Carrick, Moyes may also be without Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling and Marouane Fellaini. Sky Sports report that the quartet all sat out training this morning, and face a rush to be fit for tomorrow.

United have already secured their place in the competition’s last 16, but will be looking to a void a third home defeat in a week when they welcome Shakhtar to Old Trafford, following a demoralising week in which they have suffered back to back 1-0 defeats at the hands of Everton and Newcastle.

However, they may be down to the bare bones for the game, should the newest set of injuries not recover in time for the match. Smalling and Fellaini both sat out Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle, whilst Vidic and Evra both played 90 minutes in that game but sat out training on Monday. Should the four miss the game, then Alex Buttner would be likely to come for Evra and Rio Ferdinand for Vidic.

The Champions League has provided United with respite from their poor league form this season. Their last win in any competition was the impressive 5-0 win away at Bayer Leverkusen and they are yet to lose in this season’s competition. Whilst such a record has seen them successfully navigate their way to the last 16 with a game to spare, a point against Shakhtar would see them win the group.