Article by Mark Graham, Editor, Record Keeper & Official Reporter @ MUFCINFO.COM

an update from the treatment table

As United's injury plague begins to subside with the return of Fabio. Rafael, Vidic, Neville & Wes Brown, the Reds still have noticeable absentees mostly in the form of Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea, EVDS, Jonny Evans & Owen Hargreaves.

This week saw SAF confirm the versatile defender John O'Shea is preparing himself for a further two months out with his toilsome, thigh injury.

Picking up the injury whilst on International duty the Irishman has failed to obtain fitness, SAF said "There is no sign at all of recovery for John,", "It's his first real injury at the club and he is a big loss because he is so versatile and can play any position for us.

"What we have to do with John is get him back. It doesn't matter when, but it could be another couple of months yet, during the press conference SAF also confirmed that blood had congealed in his muscle making the injury more severe than a dead leg.

"He had a haematoma on the thigh, but the blood congealed and you have to be careful with that because you don't want calcification to occur."

Rio Ferdinand still missing with a calf/back problem since Liverpool defeated United 2-0 late last year, the boss said "Rio is nowhere near that but the main thing is there is no recurrence of the back problem.  "That is what we have been waiting for.

"We wanted him to come through the test of running and turning. He is doing his programme in the gymnasium, which is good and at the moment it is looking very healthy."

"Rio Ferdinand has done well over the last few days. He is on a running programme and Jonny Evans is also doing it with him.

"Jonny is doing a bit more, of course, because he has not been out for so long, but there's every chance the two of them will be back soon, which is really good news.

"We will just see how they progress now. When they come through the physical side of the work, they can come on to the football side of it.

Owen Hargreaves on his return to action, must hands down have the most anticipated comeback since Cantona returned from his ban, very little info is being given by United, the last being the Canadian born midfielder is training but suffered a minor muscle niggle, photos we released before Xmas of him running & reports also confirmed he was kicking a ball at Carrington.

With United spokespersons stating "taking time", "not wanting to rush it"  and "its a slow process" on many occasions your guess is as good as mine on the return, however as recent as last week reports suggest "the end of January".

Jonny Evans is close to returning from a calf problem and SAF expects the young Irishman to return to the team for possibly the Birmingham City game, "Jonny has been involved in the football side for a few days," said Fergie.

"He is doing well and should be back quicker (than Ferdinand), within the next 10 days or so.


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Edwin Van Der Sar United's veteran Dutch goalkeeper who has been out with a knee injury he picked up against Everton has in very unfortunate circumstances been granted indefinite compassionate leave to visit his ill wife in the Netherlands.

Annemarie van Kesteren, 36, suffered a brain haemorrhage on 23 December.

"Annemarie had a problem over in Holland a week ago and has been admitted to hospital," said SAF

"That is the best place for her to be. They have examined her twice and are trying to get to the root of it."
"I have told Edwin to stay over there. There is no point in him being here," added Ferguson.

"The best thing is for him to be with his wife. Hopefully she will make a good recovery."
 

May we take the opportunity to wish Annemarie the speediest of recovery's
 

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