Manchester United down to bare bones

Crocked Rio out for six weeks | Manchester United Football Club News, Fixtures, Results, Gossip | Football365

Sir Alex Ferguson revealed after the game Ferdinand will miss six weeks, meaning he will be out until the start of October...

Fellow central defender Nemanja Vidic also succumbed to injury on Sunday, struggling with a calf problem with the opening minutes before eventually coming off just after half-time.

It all adds up to serious defensive concerns for Ferguson who has also lost Rafael for 10 weeks after he dislocated a shoulder in training....

"Young Rafa has done his shoulder in training in Friday and will be out for 10 weeks, he's probably going to have an operation.

"Rio will be out for six weeks. Vida will have checks tomorrow, we don't know if it's just a nerve or something, but he could be out for a couple of weeks."

With Evra coming back (presumably) United have Evans and Jones (or Smalling) at center back, and Fabio (or Smalling) on the right. That is strength in depth, but certainly it's not a happy morning at Carrington.

Season Preview - Manchester United

Quick Reminder, Real Life

A record breaking 19th league title and a Champions League Final appearance. Sort of speaks for itself, doesn’t it? These are even more impressive accomplishments since a lot of neutral observers would agree that it happened in something of a transition year for United. Their central midfield lacked an above-average talent (which Barca made abundantly clear in the Champions League final) and they featured a lot of very young (Rafael, Fabio, Smalling, and Chicharito) and very old players (Scholes, Giggs, and EvdS) all over the pitch in regular roles. The breakout star of the season and likely the difference between winning the title and not, was Mexican forward Javier Hernandez. Chicharito’s gift for efficient scoring saw him displace Dimitar Berbatov, the league’s joint top-scorer, as a starter. The only downside other than the loss in the final to Barca was a frustrating and non-Ferguson-like tendency to lose leads late on the road. “Fergie Time” just wasn’t quite the same when the Red Devils left Old Trafford last season. Still, with the title in the bag, that’s really just nitpicking isn’t it?

Quick Reminder, Fantasy

Nani was a fantasy stud for the first half of the season but ended it as only a part-time starter. Berbatov had matches where he was incredible followed by long barren stretches that caused fantasy managers to pull out the hair Rooney ultimately had transplanted in. Vidic was excellent but expensive. Park was incredibly effective for the price in limited duty. After a disasterous first half of the season, Rooney came back and had at least a pretty good second half (although still not up to his standards or price). Chris Smalling had a very nice run of production for a cheap price as injuries sidelined Ferdinand.

Summer Changes

Rio handed four-game ban

Easy come, easy go.

Rio Ferdinand has been handed a four-match suspension after being found guilty of violent conduct by the Football Association.

The Reds' defender was involved in an off-the-ball incident during United's 4-0 victory over Hull City and will now miss the next four matches against Arsenal, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Everton.

However, Vidic was on the bench against Manchester City, so likely he'll step into the starting eleven at the Emirates.

Injuries and Suspensions

One in, one out.

Not much new news this morning, the latest being the casualties from yesterday's Europa League matches.  Those claimed Andy Johnson and will force Jack Rodwell and Steven Pienaar into the dreaded "late fitness test".

Spurs have lost Gomes for a while and so Cudicini will sit behind their make-shift back line.  Presumably King will be back to partner Bassong with Corluka moving to right back and Hutton dropping to the bench.

Rio will be out for a month, but Manchester United have Vidic back.  That should solidify the back-line though presumably Brown and O'Shea will be the candidates for center and right back.

Ilunga is a doubt for West Ham meaning a likely start for Spector.  N'Zogbia is a doubt for Wigan.  Sunderland have questions over Lee Cattermole, Steed Malbranque and Martin Fulop.  The latter is interesting if it gives Gordon a chance to claim the number one jersey.  Doesn't sound likely, however.

Manchester City have some mixed fitness news after their 1-0 win over Barca midweek.  Adebayor, Robinho, and Bridge are slight doubts but Tevez looks good to start against Wolves.  Wolves themselves are missing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, but could have Berra and Doyle back if only from the bench.

Finally, Birmingham's Cameron Jerome turned his ankle.  This may give Christian Benitez his first start, but I'm not sold on that as his play has been so limited in games and warm-ups.  That being said, he's an interesting pick at home to Stoke for 6.04.

All the gory details at the links below:

• Team news: Tevez set to start
• Ferdinand out "for three to four weeks"
• Premier League Team News
• Johnson facing five weeks out
• Altidore in line for Hull bow
• Diop blow for Pompey
• Nelsen boost for Rovers
• Vidic back for United
• City wait on strikers
• United's Ferdinand out for a month with injury
• Bruce's options may be reduced
• Evra does forward role
• Wigan wait on N'Zogbia
• Duo set for bench roles
• Wenger 'cautious' over Walcott
• Two injury doubts for Blues
• Steinsson in contention