Manchester United Injury News: 5 Players Who Need to Step Up

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Despite a torrid start to the season, there's no question that Manchester United is going through a bit of an injury crisis at the moment.

Currently out are: Darron Gibson, Tom Cleverley, Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling, Rafael, Jonny Evans, Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney.

That's quite a list of starters and valued back-ups in there, and United is without a doubt missing them. But the most alarming absence is that of Wayne Rooney. Without their talisman, United have lost some of their swagger and drive, looking ill at ease and without confidence against teams like Stoke and FC Basel.

And the absences of Vidic, Smalling and Evans were even more keenly felt against Basel midweek, as the United defense looked shambolic all throughout.

Someone needs to step up before United lose any more of their swagger and edge. These are the five players I'm singling out.

Dimitar Berbatov

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It's now or never for the enigmatic Bulgarian.

Danny Welbeck made his welcome return on Wednesday, nabbing two goals and comporting himself pretty well. But Berbatov, when he came on, looked a shadow of his former self. This performance, combined with his lackluster showing against Stoke, could be a sign that it's time to start Michael Owen in his place.

And yet, there's a reason Manchester United paid £30.75 million for his services. Last year, he showed his worth by becoming the joint top scorer in the Premier League. When he's on, he still shows a flair for silky smooth touches, cutting passes, and a good eye for goal.

He needs to show that he can bring these attributes with him on the pitch on a consistent basis. Until Rooney returns, he needs to show that he lead the United offense as his talent, and transfer/salary cost, demand.

Rio Ferdinand

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Rio Ferdinand was once, arguably, the best defender in England. He was once the captain of Manchester United, captain of the Three Lions and the solid rock of multiple champion teams.

Rio Ferdinand is no longer that man, but he's still pretty darned good. Now, more than ever, he has to show that.

With three first choice defenders out (Smalling, Vidic and Evans), Ferdinand needs to take control of the back line in a way he was unable to on Wednesday. He put on an alarming display against FC Basel, allowing opposing players to run at him, dink around him and storm right past him. He looked like he had no control, no leadership and that harmed United.

Granted, he was just coming back from injury and is still just finding his form, but Ferdinand needs to reach deep down into his well of leadership and give some stability to a defense that boasts youngsters like Phil Jones, Fabio and David De Gea.

Anderson

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It all started so brightly for the Brazilian.

For the first few games of the season, it looked like Anderson had shed his reputation of being an underachiever and elevated his game to a world class level. He performed so well that his partnership with Tom Cleverley may have just convinced Sir Alex Ferguson that Wesley Sneijder would be surplus to requirements.

Now, Cleverley is out injured and it looks like Anderson's form may have just been an illusion.

Anderson just looks lost out in the middle of the park lately, and it's alarming for fans who wait for him to snap out of it.

And wait.

We can't afford to wait any longer, not with (a worsening) Michael Carrick waiting in the wings.

Darren Fletcher

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There's a notion among some United fans that if Fletcher had been healthy enough to start in either of the Champion's League finals against Barcelona, the results might have been different.

That's how solid the Scotsman's reputation is.

With Anderson faltering and Michael Carrick looking increasingly like dead weight, it's up to Fletcher to live up to his "big game" monicker.

Fletcher has the ability to boss the midfield. A tough tackler with good vision and a "never-say-die" attitude, on his day he can echo United great Roy Keane.

Now is the time. A resurgent Fletcher might be able to bring Anderson's game up, and United's midfield definitely needs it.

Fabio

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Although Rafael Da Silva got to the first team ahead of his twin brother, Fabio Da Silva has long been considered the more talented of the two.

He certainly did not look like it on Wednesday.

With Smalling and Rafael out injured and Jones locked into the center-back role, Fabio is the next best choice for right-back.

This is his chance to prove that he really is the better Da Silva, he can do so by taking hold of his opportunities in the coming games. If he steps up, then he could very well be the long term solution at full-back, even when Smalling returns from injury.